Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Judi Baker on October 9, 2011 at 5:04pm

Heck, it started out a 'back room deal' so why bring it public now???????????

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Permalink Reply by Diane Watkins on September 11, 2011 at 8:47pm

I am flowing in the same vein Ken. I feel bad when I see a shop go out of business in our neighborhood. It just feels like we all failed again. It is a really bad habit that will probably earn me a spot on "hoarders", but sometimes I buy stuff that I don't need just to support our locals.

I can't do the scents because of allergies, but I say let's definetely add some variety to our meeting spaces and share the wealth.

 

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Permalink Reply by hellen davis on October 9, 2011 at 2:40pm

Wonder just how long Boulder Coffee will try to hang on! Everytime I pass by there it's near empty. Can't understand why it's not teeming with UR students and neighborhood folks. No wonder those other spaces remain empty.. what's the incentive?

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Permalink Reply by Judi Baker on October 9, 2011 at 5:01pm

EXACTLY.  I long finished my $100 pound of coffee..............................

 

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Permalink Reply by hellen davis on October 9, 2011 at 7:17pm

Not sure I understand that reply.. guess I need to know the "backstory!"

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Permalink Reply by Margy Meath on October 9, 2011 at 10:23pm

if you're interested in the "backstory" search for posts from a year ago (October 2010) and you can get a 'flavor' of what has happened with Boulder. You might also search something that Doris Meadows wrote about this..... it's a long story with many, many deep wounds and broken relationships.

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Permalink Reply by Judi Baker on October 10, 2011 at 5:08pm

Years ago, community residents were asked to invest in our 'community' coffee shop by purchasing bags of coffee for $100 and many did. BUT when the building was sold to Boulder, we (the community) knew NOTHING until the deal had been sealed.  So we were left with WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE AND HOW!!!  And to date, I still do not understand...............and I continue to have to cross the Elmwood Ave. bridge to obtain a decent cup of affordable coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by hellen davis on October 10, 2011 at 10:14pm

I'm just not sure what we are hoping for here...do we want failure because years ago something went down and some people lost some money, or do we want this business to succeed because it will maybe re-energize this segment of the redevelopment of Brooks Landing and perhaps create some interest in investing here.

 

So my advise is quit your bitching and get your 2 bucks out and stop in Boulder Coffee and buy a cup of coffee and hope that it survives and prospers because the alternative is another empty space!

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Permalink Reply by MacClurg Vivian on October 10, 2011 at 8:56am

I too have wondered if Boulder will make it here. I hope they do, but  think they need some changes. In my experience they have not been responsive to or expressed an interest in what the neighbors would like from their place. I have not been in there in the many months before they closed. Generally, I would go to Boulder with another person or a group, and our intent was to not only buy some food but to have a conversation. On my several visits I found the music too loud and not of my taste and staff arrogant about changing the music or lowering it. It was there to please them apparently. I did not like what appeared to be bought desserts; and most were very high in calories. I prefer a place with home made everything, including locally made bagels with cream cheese/jam and a warmer atmosphere. (I am not talking heat). Staff were slow, they were understaffed, staff were not about to deliver cofffee, etc. to your table if you sat upstairs. They were not particularly friendly. I guess it was geared for a younger crowd-college students? But it was the n'hood that fought for a coffee shop for years...I think they should find out what the n'hood wants with menu/music and respond accordingly. Though it may be too late, given the resentments many here still carry. STill I hope Lijah can find a way to mend some fences and respond to this community. Regards to all.

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Permalink Reply by Joan Roby-Davison on October 11, 2011 at 11:48am

I'd like to thank all of you for your comments, both in support and criticism of Boulder Coffee.  We recognize that there some in the community who are still angry about the way the original sale of 955 Genesee Street to Lyjha, and then to the Chabad House.   In an effort to improve communication and to be more responsive to neighborhoods, the board has deliberately added representatives from the Sector 4 neighborhoods in the past year.  In addition, I have tried to be as involved as possible in neighborhood meetings to help re-establish positive relationships between community residents and the Sector 4 CDC.  Burned or broken bridges, are difficult to repair and take time and effort to heal.  The new board members are strong advocates for their neighborhoods and the south west quadrant and will help in the rebuilding.

 

Boulder Coffee is the first business to open in the business center, in space that stood vacant for more than two years.  California Rollin' is working in the space(s) adjacent, and hopes to be open by December 1 at the latest.  Subway has a lease, and permits have been pulled, but I don't have a work schedule for them - I would expect that they will also be open around December 1.  All of these dates are contingent on inspections, permit requirements, and licenses.....and can change unexpectedly.

 

It is my personal goal, and that of Sector 4 CDC, to see thriving businesses in Brooks Landing, and on all of the commercial corridors.  Check out the link on Location 19 to Operation 3/50 - it is a solid strategy to KEEP businesses in your neighborhood.  Pick out three businesses that you feel are essential in the neighborhood, and stop in.  Spend a little in each of the businesses during the month - if we all do this with those important businesses (think Hunt's Hardware, Cutaia's Meat Market, _____ -fill in the blank) , they will not only survive, but they WILL thrive!

 

I've been in Boulder several times since it opened - the customers I've observed have been employees from the upstairs offices, students, and neighborhood residents.  I've seen meetings being held there, and people in the corner studying. 

Can Boulder do more to reach out to the community?  Most likely - and so can any number of other businesses in the south west.  We will encourage all of them to be involved in business associations and in their local neighborhood associations.  And, we will continue to try to recruit solid businesses to fill the vacant storefronts throughout the south west. 

 

Feel free to contact me directly if you wish to discuss any of this further.  I can not change the past, but I am committed to working with neighborhood residents and businesses as we move forward.  Your suggestions and concerns about the coffee shop will be shared with Lyjha and his manager.

 

Again, thank you to all who have posted to this discussion - I value all of your comments, positive or not.  It is encouraging to see so many who are concerned about their neighborhood!

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Permalink Reply by MacClurg Vivian on October 11, 2011 at 10:55pm

Joan, thank you for taking the time for this detailed post. I appreciate and find it informative. I agree with your sentiments about supporting our n'hood businesses. And I appreciate that you will pass comments on to Lyjah re his biz.

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Permalink Reply by Margy Meath on October 12, 2011 at 10:54am

Joan-

I also appreciate your efforts re: this. I know it's outside the scope of Sector 4 CDC's work, but do you have any updates on what is happening with the Chabad house?? There is nothing immediately apparent on their website re: moving to the Boulder building and the building has now been empty for months and months.

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