When we first asked our community for help, we could never have imagined the overwhelming generosity and support we would receive. In just under three months (May-July), you all came together to help us raise over $102,000 toward replacing our kitchen hood system and keeping The Emerald alive!

To everyone who has donated, shared our fundraiser, attended a show, enjoyed a meal, or simply offered us words of encouragement, THANK YOU! Your support has meant more to us than we could ever express.

We had hoped we wouldn’t need to ask for additional help, but as we’ve worked through the planning and permitting process, we’ve encountered some significant and unexpected expenses. After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to increase our fundraising goal to $175,000.

We believe you deserve to know exactly why.

What has changed:

When we launched our original fundraiser, our estimate was based primarily on the cost of replacing the kitchen hood itself. As we’ve brought contractors on board, consulted with engineers, and started navigating the permitting process, we have discovered that this project is considerably more expensive than we initially thought it would be.

The most significant developments include:

-An additional $24,000 for a required intake unit. We had hoped to move forward without this component, but it is necessary to bring our new hood system into compliance with current code requirements.

-$4,350 in engineering expenses that were not included in our original estimate.

-Up to $10,000 in permitting costs. (Because the permit must account for the entire scope of the project, this expense is considerably higher than expected. We’re still waiting on the final amount.)

-Additional plumbing, interior construction and electrical electrical work that became apparent as the project developed. (Up to $10,000.00)

-The likelihood that this project will only take two weeks is becoming more and more unlikely and for additional shutdown time we still need to pay the utilities, rent and keep our employees with income. Another 2 weeks shutdown will be another $25,000 in payroll to maintain.

These expenses alone have added tens of thousands of dollars to our original estimate. We also recently had to spend more than $3,000 repairing a kitchen drain, adding further financial pressure.

With an older building, even a seemingly straightforward renovation comes with complications that aren’t apparent until the actual work begins. We are doing everything we can to anticipate these challenges, but there is still some uncertainty ahead.

Where the money will go:

Our current project estimate is $175,000. This includes the hood installation, plumbing, electrical work, engineering, permitting, equipment, building preparation, and project management.

It also accounts for something incredibly important to us, taking care of our employees.

We will be closed down temporarily while construction is happening. We've included approximately $25,000 in our budget to help compensate our staff during that time, along with our food inventory loss during the shut down.

Our team is the heart of The Emerald, and we want to do everything within our power to support them through this transition.

We want to be transparent that these numbers are estimates, and some costs have yet to be finalized. We are working closely with our contractors to make informed decisions and keep expenses as manageable as possible.

For 43 years now, The Emerald has been more than a place to enjoy a good meal. It’s been a stage for local and touring musicians, a home for artists, a place to celebrate milestones, and a gathering space for this community that has grown alongside us!

We’ve watched friendships form, families grow, and generations of young musicians find their footing within these walls. We’ve shared so much together; we’re not ready for those moments to become just memories of what used to be.

The Emerald has always been a labor of love, and preserving it means preserving a little piece of what makes our community special. Asking for help again isn’t easy, especially when you’ve already given us so much. But the outpouring of support we’ve received has reminded us that The Emerald belongs to this community in ways that extend far beyond our family.

We’ve come so far because of you, and we’re determined to see this project through.

If you’re in any position to contribute, any amount brings us closer to our goal. If donating isn’t possible, sharing our fundraiser, coming in for dinner, attending a show, or simply spreading the word makes a meaningful difference.

To those who have already contributed, please know we don’t take your generosity for granted. We’re not asking anyone to give beyond their means. We’re simply inviting our community to continue to be a part of The Emerald’s story.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in us.

With love and gratitude,

The Emerald Family