Save Japantown's Heart: Support Jordan and Rina

Dear friends, family, and all supporters of Jack’s Bar, JTown Pizza, Spread, and 7Bamboo,

As your former Councilmember, I took a lot of pride in representing the Japantown community for my eight years on the City Council. During that time I repeatedly found myself supporting small business owners in Japantown who were on the verge of closing and losing their businesses. Whether it was frivolous ADA lawsuits or daunting permitting challenges tied to well intended historical preservation efforts, I saw far too many businesses shutter. What I never fully witnessed was the extent of the personal impact it had on the families and individuals behind those businesses. That is until now.

When I started on the council, Jordan had already invested over half a decade into the Japantown community with Jack’s Bar, and he went on to reinvigorate it into the community hot spot it is today. Over the years I saw Jordan, Rina and their company Dipsomania, continue to invest and give back to the Japantown community. They saved Japantown’s only karaoke bar, 7Bamboo, from closure, and brought life back to a historic building on 6th street creating a local favorite, JTown Pizza. They created a non profit to host events like the Sake and Beer Walks, aimed specifically at supporting investment into Japantown. They have been consistent sponsors to numerous community organizations and local schools. They have helped maintain a vibrant Japantown and created dozens of career opportunities for so many people.

Locals will remember the excitement in September of 2022 when Jordan and Rina acquired the former Cielito Lindo and adjoining property at the corner of Fifth and Taylor, with dreams of opening a brunch venue, And Jill’s. After receiving a demolition permit from the City, they got right to work and demolished the interiors. Unbeknownst to them, and undisclosed in the purchase agreement, a historical status tied to the properties severely delayed their permitting and construction efforts. With the properties now worth about half their value after the demolition, Jordan and Rina had no choice but to try and wait it out and navigate a lengthy permit process. But unfortunately a delay of months turned into years, and resulted in millions of dollars of unsecured debt.

Unbeknownst to all of us who have been enjoying their businesses over the years, Jordan and Rina have gone from trying to salvage an investment, to being at risk of losing every business they have built, and everything they own. They have tried everything, from racking up personal debt, clearing their retirement savings, and even leveraging their own home.

After all they have risked, it just hasn’t been enough. They have been struggling just to make payroll and rent, and this week finally had to succumb to the reality of potentially losing their life’s work. The loss of their businesses would be a devastating blow to Japantown, and indeed very difficult on their employees, many who will face unemployment and lose crucial benefits. And Jordan and Rina feel terrible, with immense pressure, stress and guilt. But on top of the impacts this will have on their employees, and the Japantown community, they too would be losing their jobs, their benefits, and possibly their own home. I know beyond everything, they feel the worst for how this could impact their two amazing young children, Taylor and Willow.

Jordan and Rina didn’t want to do this Go Fund Me. They did not want to ask for help. So I’m doing it. The impact goes far beyond what most of us in the community will feel after the loss of our favorite neighborhood bar or restaurant. Jordan and Rina are at risk of losing nearly 20 years of hard work, losing the future they had built for their family, and facing an uncertain and challenging future.

I am asking that anyone and everyone who has patronized their businesses and enjoyed the benefits of Jordan and Rina’s hard work, to please consider making a donation today. I will be transferring 100% of the money raise directly to them. What is raised here will not likely be enough to save each of their businesses, but maybe it could save one, maybe it helps them make their final payroll payments, maybe it saves their house, or maybe it just helps them navigate the road ahead as they try to land back on their feet for the sake of their family. So I ask you to please consider giving whatever you can, and please share this with anyone else who you think would like to support them as well.

Sincerely,

Raul Peralez