Help Us Keep Moods. Wine Bar & Bistro Open
Hi everyone,
My name is Mahmood, and my wife, KC, and I are the owners of Moods. Wine Bar & Bistro, a family-owned and operated wine bar in Sunnyvale that we proudly opened in May 2025.
Moods. began more than eight years ago in Palo Alto, inspired by my love of wine—not just for what’s in the glass, but for the conversations, shared meals, and sense of connection it creates. After seven years and a 4.9-star rating on Yelp and Google, our Palo Alto location closed when a new building owner chose not to renew tenant leases.
We saw that moment as a blessing in disguise and brought Moods. to downtown Sunnyvale, the community we’ve called home for over 15 years, believing deeply that it could become something special here.
We’ve been humbled by the support of Sunnyvale locals and the loyal guests from Palo Alto who followed us. Moods. is growing into something we’re incredibly proud of—serving a diverse clientele, creating jobs, and providing a welcoming space for local musicians to share their talent.
Like many small, independent restaurants, we’ve been hit hard by rising costs and lower-than-expected customer traffic in these early months, even as we continue building awareness in the community. Our biggest challenge came before we served our first guest. Permitting and occupancy approvals delayed our opening by 9 months, far longer than we had budgeted for, draining our reserves before we could begin earning.
To survive the long delay, we opened a line of credit to cover rent. That balance has now come due, along with an imminent rent increase. Without immediate relief, we are at real risk of closing.
This fundraiser is not about expansion or profit—it’s about survival and giving us the chance to stabilize and continue serving this community.
We are trying to raise $50,000 to:
• Catch up on outstanding rent
• Pay down our line of credit
• Keep our doors open and our staff employed
I was born in Kabul and came to the U.S. at 13 years old. I’ve worked as a roofer, landscaper, banquet server, DJ, licensed cosmetologist, and artist. Above all else, I’m a husband, father, and friend. Every experience, every challenge, and every lesson learned is woven into the heart of Moods.
We truly believe Moods. can thrive here—but we can’t do it alone.
If you’ve ever enjoyed a glass of wine with us, shared a meal, listened to live music, celebrated a moment, or simply believe in supporting small, family-owned businesses, we would be deeply grateful for your help. Every contribution makes a real difference.
If donating isn’t possible right now, visiting us, spreading the word, or sharing this campaign means just as much.
111 W Evelyn Ave, Sunnyvale
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us during this critical moment. Your support gives us hope—and the chance to keep bringing wine, music, food, and community together at Moods.
With gratitude,
Mahmood & KC
Organizer
