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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><u><span style='color:red'>SUCH SAD NEWS TODAY</span></u></i></b><br><br>“As many of you know Wicked Grounds had to close its doors last week Wednesday. This closure is most likely permanent.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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.<br><br>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!<br><br>Finally, to all our employees, volunteers, munch organizers, suppliers, neighbors we are truly grateful and THANK YOU.<br><br>With our deepest regards,<br>Mr. and Mrs. Wicked Grounds”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:red'>Robin<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:red'>Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:red'>The Exiles<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:red'>San Francisco<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>