Help Us Save Emerald Lounge

My name is Rebecca Fox, and I’ve spent the last 20 years building a career in specialty coffee — as a technician, educator, and founder. Emerald Lounge is the culmination of that journey: a European-style café and community gathering space in a historic San Francisco building. We built it with heart, from scratch, using only locally sourced ingredients and a commitment to genuine hospitality.

But right now, our future is at risk.

We’re in the middle of a legal battle with our landlord — one marked by intimidation, neglect, and what we believe are unethical attempts to push us out. Despite doing everything right, from securing permits to restoring a long-vacant space, we’ve faced vandalism, harassment, and a lack of basic building support. I’ve poured everything I have into keeping the doors open — emotionally, physically, and financially — but we’ve reached a breaking point.

I’m fighting not just for my business, but for the team who believes in this vision, and for the community we’ve created inside these walls.

Your donation will help us cover urgent legal fees, keep our staff employed, and give us a real chance at surviving this battle. Every dollar helps us protect what we’ve built — and continue to offer a space where people feel welcome, inspired, and connected.

From the bottom of my heart: thank you for standing with us.

— Rebecca