Café Maggie closed December 6 with no warning at all, leaving 8 young staff members suddenly jobless. My goal is to raise enough to cover a few weeks’ pay for them to help them along their way, since all were living paycheck to paycheck, taking less pay than they deserved and helping to keep this warmly welcoming neighborhood café open to everyone.

I'm Suzanne, and I live just a few blocks from the corner of 4th and University. Personally, I am mourning the loss of this amazing spot that has been my safe space and played so many roles in my life I can’t even list them all here. The kindness and care I could count on every time I walked through that door is what I’ll miss the most, and I saw it offered freely to all comers. I truly hope we can somehow find a way to revive the “Epic corner” as a community-nurturing coffee shop.

In the meantime, in gratitude for all they offered us over the past 4+ years, I hope to bring a small cushion of support to Zoli, Olivia, Mo, Nelly, Bethany, Owen, Theo, and Nick, those lovely folks who gave me more than they knew. Most had worked at Café Maggie since the last owner took over in 2021, doing their best to support his earnest but ultimately unsuccessful efforts to keep it going, because they cared about the people they served and knew the value of the third spaces we so sorely need in our lives.

As the holidays approach, I hope you’ll help out. Please share this fundraiser!