Quote from: Soshin on 07-24-2012, 04:41pmCompletely uncalled for and douchey. Thea gave it a good shot, she ran open mics, poetry nights, and musical events. None of which we'd had in our hood before. She tried to get the community involved and did nothing but spread positivity on a little corner of the westside that, frankly, was not the greatest location. Hell, she was even honest about the mistakes she made and she gets shit on by GLX.No, she wasn't. She blamed it on not being able to get more money after blowing (someone's?) savings on opening. QuoteReal classy dude.Kicking a community that attempted to support you on the way out the door because you couldn't run a business instead of maybe being somewhat diplomatic and saying that "maybe it wasn't the right time" or "the market couldn't support the establishment" shows that she learned nothing about running a business.Multiple comments by people around here saying that "when they wanted to go, the shop was never open" shows the lack of forethought.Oh, and by the way - I never said shit about the free advertising she was on this site - because I always like seeing the little guy succeed. “I’d definitely open up Shades of Java again, but I’m not sure I would open up in that location, or in Jersey, period. There was really no help and no real community.”Now that's class.
Completely uncalled for and douchey. Thea gave it a good shot, she ran open mics, poetry nights, and musical events. None of which we'd had in our hood before. She tried to get the community involved and did nothing but spread positivity on a little corner of the westside that, frankly, was not the greatest location. Hell, she was even honest about the mistakes she made and she gets shit on by GLX.
Real classy dude.
Quote from: MCA™ on 07-24-2012, 10:37amFor the last two weeks, however, owner Thea Williamson says she was forced to keep the cafe closed when she couldn’t even afford to restock. “I knew the end was coming,” she admits.Williamson, who admits having no previous business experience or knowledge, said the trouble began after she spent $90,000 on renovations.“It was definitely not a smart move on my part…it left us with very little capital to sit on,” she says.So you admit it's your fault...Quote She tried finding loans for small start-ups but did not qualify since most required being in business for at least two years. Local politicians advised her to reach out to nonprofit Rising Tide Capital, which aids local entrepreneurs; the group could only offer her coaching, Williamson says. The West Side Community Alliance, which encouraged Williamson and welcomed Shades of Java, was also ultimately not able to help her stay open.Having learned some important business lessons, Williamson says she may reopen one day — but most likely somewhere in Brooklyn. “I’d definitely open up Shades of Java again, but I’m not sure I would open up in that location, or in Jersey, period. There was really no help and no real community.” (Full article)Sounds like people tried to help you not be stupid and now you go and shit all over them and the neighborhood you said you wanted to "help"I'm sure that your neighbors and customers feel the same about you... Want to bitch about anything else on your way out? Not sure you're aware, but a coffee shop is not a charity.
For the last two weeks, however, owner Thea Williamson says she was forced to keep the cafe closed when she couldn’t even afford to restock. “I knew the end was coming,” she admits.Williamson, who admits having no previous business experience or knowledge, said the trouble began after she spent $90,000 on renovations.“It was definitely not a smart move on my part…it left us with very little capital to sit on,” she says.
She tried finding loans for small start-ups but did not qualify since most required being in business for at least two years. Local politicians advised her to reach out to nonprofit Rising Tide Capital, which aids local entrepreneurs; the group could only offer her coaching, Williamson says. The West Side Community Alliance, which encouraged Williamson and welcomed Shades of Java, was also ultimately not able to help her stay open.Having learned some important business lessons, Williamson says she may reopen one day — but most likely somewhere in Brooklyn. “I’d definitely open up Shades of Java again, but I’m not sure I would open up in that location, or in Jersey, period. There was really no help and no real community.” (Full article)
