Sunday, October 10, 2010

We're working on becoming a non-profit cafe

For those who haven't heard, Park Place Coffee & Crepes will either cease to exist or transition into a non-profit cafe.  Our hope is that we could be a non-profit cafe by January 2011, but there are many pieces to come together in order for that to happen! 

For this first post (in a very, very long time!) I am going to give you the unpersonalized, non-blog, informational stuff about why, etc. I hope to elaborate in further posts on how it's all coming along and all the great ideas that have come up!

What are the advantages of making Park Place Coffee a non-profit café?


• The events and activities won’t be limited by time and financial restraints of a single owner.

As a non-profit, PPC could host local community events and provide services based on the interest of neighbors and volunteers. Many local interests can participate in bringing the café to “life.”

• The long term stability of the café won’t be limited by a sole proprietor. It can continue to grow to be a community asset as long as the community chooses to adopt it. By making PPC a non-profit café, the success of the café is not dependent on the success of one person. The café can remain in the community and continue to grow under a board and a supervisor.

• The café mission can broaden beyond the four walls and support other efforts within the area. The mission of the café can expand to include community improvement activities and seek grant funding for community renewal efforts incubated within the doors of the café, but provide services for many community interests.

What could a non-profit café do for the community?

The first step would be for the donation base to sustain daily operations (equipment, supplies, rent) of the café. The goal is for the café to become the home or primary venue for community groups, meetings and common interests shared w/in Rockwood.

The café would potentially offer many more activities for the community through organized events by volunteer groups. This venue can serve as a partner for benefit events for other organizations also. It can also help promote local commerce. For example, local guest chefs could offer meals from other restaurants, local artists can display their work or perform, vendors could have selected items displayed for sale.

The more support this café can build within the community the more funds can be directed toward other community efforts. As a non-profit organization with a primary interest in improving the surrounding community, the café can compete for grant money to serve community efforts.

This is a perfect location to build further community efforts:

• Activities can expand into the park next door, building more interest and excitement within the neighborhood.

• We are located in the most diverse and active area of Rockwood, and by building community efforts we can draw our neighbors together.

• PPC has started the process with involvement on local efforts, and with the help of community interests, a new life is possible

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