Characterz Cafe Calls For Aid... Beacons are lit!
Donation protected
Characterz Café and Coffee Roasterz celebrated its 3 year anniversary on May 1, 2018. We are located in the Bay Area, 5424 Sunol Blvd Suite 7, Pleasanton, CA. It has been an amazing 3 years. Mike and I are so grateful for all our many blessings that have come from having Characterz and its location in the Oakhill Shopping Center. As an owner-run and -operated business, it has been our pleasure to be there daily to serve our awesome customers.
Through Characterz, we have been able to be a part of our community in a way we never imagined. We have been able to assist in fundraising for local schools, organizations, and our local fire department (LPFD) by connecting over cocoa and coffee with our community. This was our 4th year contributing our famous coffee, cocoa and smiles to the participants at the Pleasanton North Rotary Club’s 4th Annual TriValley Turkey Burn. We also have been able to facilitate 100+ games in donations to the Oakland Children’s Hospital. We’ve used our Tip Jar to raise funds for local charities that needed our help.
Characterz Café and Coffee Roasterz started as a conversation stemming from a dream. Five years ago, Mike and I began our quest to make it a reality. First, we started in a commercial kitchen selling items online and to our friends. Then we put Characterz inside a local ice hockey facility in Livermore. Nothing seemed to fit. It wasn’t the right space. Many scouted locations later, we found the spot we were meant for. The Characterz location was a coffee shop before. Some of the customers had been coming to the coffee shop for 28 years.
Characterz has not just created a community - it has created a family. It does not matter your age, skin color, financial background, sexual orientation, psychological makeup, mental spectrum, physical ability, employment status, or how geeky you are or aren’t…everyone is welcome and treated the same. Characterz is a place where friends connect over board games, drinks, and treats. Strangers become friends. Friends become family.
But during these three years of operation, it has not been without its challenges. Being owner-run and -operated, if one of us was out sick, the other had to pick up the load. Unfortunately, I became sick and injured and was only able to work until the pain became unbearable. This went on for a few months. During this time, we were not able to make rent. We tried to catch up by paying extra towards rent every month. I got married on April 1, 2018. In July, I would find out I was pregnant. Due to complications, I was ordered to go on bedrest to prevent preterm labor. Once again, we had to close early and were unable to make rent for a few months. 3 1/2 weeks after I gave birth to a healthy baby boy, I was back to work and the shop was open its normal hours.
It pains our hearts to think about Characterz no longer existing in the Oakhill Shopping Center, or being a part of the company we started from scratch. I personally feel responsible for letting every one of our customers down…for getting this close to losing it all. So many people count on Characterz to be there for them. We are doing everything we can to not let Characterz close.
We need to raise $45,000 to stay in business. We have until the end of the year to make it happen. We would love your help. Thank you for taking the time to look at our campaign.
With Love & Much Gratitude,
Crystal
Through Characterz, we have been able to be a part of our community in a way we never imagined. We have been able to assist in fundraising for local schools, organizations, and our local fire department (LPFD) by connecting over cocoa and coffee with our community. This was our 4th year contributing our famous coffee, cocoa and smiles to the participants at the Pleasanton North Rotary Club’s 4th Annual TriValley Turkey Burn. We also have been able to facilitate 100+ games in donations to the Oakland Children’s Hospital. We’ve used our Tip Jar to raise funds for local charities that needed our help.
Characterz Café and Coffee Roasterz started as a conversation stemming from a dream. Five years ago, Mike and I began our quest to make it a reality. First, we started in a commercial kitchen selling items online and to our friends. Then we put Characterz inside a local ice hockey facility in Livermore. Nothing seemed to fit. It wasn’t the right space. Many scouted locations later, we found the spot we were meant for. The Characterz location was a coffee shop before. Some of the customers had been coming to the coffee shop for 28 years.
Characterz has not just created a community - it has created a family. It does not matter your age, skin color, financial background, sexual orientation, psychological makeup, mental spectrum, physical ability, employment status, or how geeky you are or aren’t…everyone is welcome and treated the same. Characterz is a place where friends connect over board games, drinks, and treats. Strangers become friends. Friends become family.
But during these three years of operation, it has not been without its challenges. Being owner-run and -operated, if one of us was out sick, the other had to pick up the load. Unfortunately, I became sick and injured and was only able to work until the pain became unbearable. This went on for a few months. During this time, we were not able to make rent. We tried to catch up by paying extra towards rent every month. I got married on April 1, 2018. In July, I would find out I was pregnant. Due to complications, I was ordered to go on bedrest to prevent preterm labor. Once again, we had to close early and were unable to make rent for a few months. 3 1/2 weeks after I gave birth to a healthy baby boy, I was back to work and the shop was open its normal hours.
It pains our hearts to think about Characterz no longer existing in the Oakhill Shopping Center, or being a part of the company we started from scratch. I personally feel responsible for letting every one of our customers down…for getting this close to losing it all. So many people count on Characterz to be there for them. We are doing everything we can to not let Characterz close.
We need to raise $45,000 to stay in business. We have until the end of the year to make it happen. We would love your help. Thank you for taking the time to look at our campaign.
With Love & Much Gratitude,
Crystal
Organizer
Crystal Diamond
Organizer
Pleasanton, CA