[ExilesAnnounce] WICKED GROUNDS UPDATE

[Robin]

SUCH SAD NEWS TODAY

"As many of you know Wicked Grounds had to close its doors last week
Wednesday. This closure is most likely permanent.

Wicked Grounds has been a struggle from the beginning. We received a lot of
support then and continued to receive support throughout which allowed the
cafe to keep going for as long as it did. For that we, and we hope the
community, is forever grateful. Unfortunately, it was not enough and 7
months ago the decision was made to close. The debts from first opening,
everyday operating costs like staff, healthcare, and general business bills
were greater than the income of the cafe. 6 months ago, YOU, the community,
gathered and raised the funds we needed to stay open for half a year more.
All the warmth and sense of community, family, and friends really helped us
in our struggles.

Sadly, those fundraising efforts and community warmth was just not enough.
As announced in March, the cafe truly needed $100,000 to even consider
staying open a year. The fundraising efforts brought in just over half that,
which meant staying open for 6 months. Wicked Grounds used that to update
behind the counter operations, pay some past debt and current bills and do
much needed maintenance on the space.

Even after multiple community donations, fundraisers, VIP memberships, and
loans, it became evident that we could not continue due to our financial
constraints. We made the decision to file for Chapter 13 reorganization
bankruptcy. Essentially, gathering everything together to come up with some
type of payment system for current cafe debts and personal debts to last a
few years. Unfortunately, after reviewing all the paperwork and looking at
our situation as a whole, we could not continue under Chapter 13. We had to
decide to shift to a Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy in hopes to get more
time to get our books in order and to hunt for investors to continue. But
the process didn't progress as expected and the rules of the court required
that we close the cafe immediately. Please believe that this was hard on us,
so very hard, and not at all what we wanted or expected.

This closure and announcement was as sudden to us as to you, our community,
and for that we apologize. We were trying to upgrade and fix things, as well
as work on the debts. Sadly this could not be achieved simultaneously. We
are past the point of fundraising efforts, so while we appreciate the love
and support, Wicked Grounds will not host another fundraiser and can no
longer accept pledges, loans, or donations. The only way Wicked Grounds can
reopen is if someone steps forward to purchase the business as a whole.

The Wicked Grounds family would like to thank the community for all that you
have done for us throughout these last two years. Your continued support,
love, patronage, and most of all your spirit, helped keep us alive. Shall
Wicked Grounds remain closed, we would like to encourage all customers,
munch leaders, and general public to continue on. Remember: There is no rest
for the Wicked!

Finally, to all our employees, volunteers, munch organizers, suppliers,
neighbors we are truly grateful and THANK YOU.

With our deepest regards,
Mr. and Mrs. Wicked Grounds"

 

Robin

Coordinator

The Exiles

San Francisco

 

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