Swork Coffee Eagle Rock - Employee Fund
Donation protected
Dear Swork Community
We need your help...
As Covid-19 continues to spread, the wellbeing of our customers and employees is important to us... Swork has paused daily operations in an effort to do our part in flattening the Covid-19 curve.
Like many of you, Swork employees are struggling to make ends meet Unemployment insurance is backlogged; slow and too little to cover basic expenses, utilities, and rent. Daily patron tips were a big portion of their income and now that's gone.
I love my staff. A few of them have been working at Swork for years. They are trustworthy, committed and always have your best interest in mind–while simultaneously frothing your latte.
In an effort to support and retain staff during this time, I need your help in asking for micro-donations if you are able to. And, if you are not able to donate, then please support Swork with a visit when we re-open.
The funding amount requested will cover two payroll periods (4-weeks).
We are taking it day-by-day in terms of re-opening–absent of a clear path for how to move forward while keeping the community safe.
We'll come through this stronger and better together. With commitment to our Swork community, staff and friends, I thank you for your support!
We need you!
Patricia Neale
Proprietor
About Swork.
The First Coffee Bar in Eagle Rock
When the creator of Swork relocated to Eagle Rock in May of 1999, she wanted a great cup of coffee. But after searching the surrounding area and discovering that her only option was the local donut shop...well, let's just say it wasn't pretty. An entrepreneur, foodie, and coffee aficionado, her quest for a local coffee bar consumed her. She eventually became so frustrated having to drive to Los Feliz for her fix that she vowed when the opportunity presented itself, she would launch her own coffee bar.
Two months later, her vision collided with reality at the corner of Colorado and Eagle Rock Boulevards. With a signed lease in her hand and a business plan brewing, she traveled to Guatemala with her friends at Intelligentsia Coffee. There, she took a crash course in everything from growing, picking, and washing coffee beans, to roasting, smelling, and cupping them (as well as whispering sweet-nothings to them along the way – it helps bring out the flavor).
The work of renovating her dream space was grueling, sweaty, painstakingly slow, but all underscored by the promise of great coffee to a great neighborhood. And with the help of Doug Zell, owner of Intelligentsia Coffee – who flew in from Chicago to train the entire staff on coffee – Swork's grand opening was a gargantuan success. While Patricia prides herself on her love of coffee and community, she admits she does not own any goats.
Leading the Way
Success didn't stop there. Little did Patricia know that reviving a neglected corner space would soon create a bustling community spot for coffee enthusiasts and local entrepreneurs also dreaming to make their mark. From Starbucks to 5-Line Tavern, Swork paved their way in Eagle Rock.
Points of Pride
While Patricia's initial goal was to bring good coffee to Eagle Rock, Swork's amenities bring her an equal amount of pride and joy: Swork boasts the first kid-oriented playspace at a Los Angeles coffee bar, and is also proud to be the first coffee bar in the city to provide a dedicated computer-driven workspace (no, we don't seal up our power outlets). Swork's parent/child lounge area and encouragement to local professionals to bring their laptops into our space forms a large part of the unique coffee shop culture that Swork has cultivated over the years.
We need your help...
As Covid-19 continues to spread, the wellbeing of our customers and employees is important to us... Swork has paused daily operations in an effort to do our part in flattening the Covid-19 curve.
Like many of you, Swork employees are struggling to make ends meet Unemployment insurance is backlogged; slow and too little to cover basic expenses, utilities, and rent. Daily patron tips were a big portion of their income and now that's gone.
I love my staff. A few of them have been working at Swork for years. They are trustworthy, committed and always have your best interest in mind–while simultaneously frothing your latte.
In an effort to support and retain staff during this time, I need your help in asking for micro-donations if you are able to. And, if you are not able to donate, then please support Swork with a visit when we re-open.
The funding amount requested will cover two payroll periods (4-weeks).
We are taking it day-by-day in terms of re-opening–absent of a clear path for how to move forward while keeping the community safe.
We'll come through this stronger and better together. With commitment to our Swork community, staff and friends, I thank you for your support!
We need you!
Patricia Neale
Proprietor
About Swork.
The First Coffee Bar in Eagle Rock
When the creator of Swork relocated to Eagle Rock in May of 1999, she wanted a great cup of coffee. But after searching the surrounding area and discovering that her only option was the local donut shop...well, let's just say it wasn't pretty. An entrepreneur, foodie, and coffee aficionado, her quest for a local coffee bar consumed her. She eventually became so frustrated having to drive to Los Feliz for her fix that she vowed when the opportunity presented itself, she would launch her own coffee bar.
Two months later, her vision collided with reality at the corner of Colorado and Eagle Rock Boulevards. With a signed lease in her hand and a business plan brewing, she traveled to Guatemala with her friends at Intelligentsia Coffee. There, she took a crash course in everything from growing, picking, and washing coffee beans, to roasting, smelling, and cupping them (as well as whispering sweet-nothings to them along the way – it helps bring out the flavor).
The work of renovating her dream space was grueling, sweaty, painstakingly slow, but all underscored by the promise of great coffee to a great neighborhood. And with the help of Doug Zell, owner of Intelligentsia Coffee – who flew in from Chicago to train the entire staff on coffee – Swork's grand opening was a gargantuan success. While Patricia prides herself on her love of coffee and community, she admits she does not own any goats.
Leading the Way
Success didn't stop there. Little did Patricia know that reviving a neglected corner space would soon create a bustling community spot for coffee enthusiasts and local entrepreneurs also dreaming to make their mark. From Starbucks to 5-Line Tavern, Swork paved their way in Eagle Rock.
Points of Pride
While Patricia's initial goal was to bring good coffee to Eagle Rock, Swork's amenities bring her an equal amount of pride and joy: Swork boasts the first kid-oriented playspace at a Los Angeles coffee bar, and is also proud to be the first coffee bar in the city to provide a dedicated computer-driven workspace (no, we don't seal up our power outlets). Swork's parent/child lounge area and encouragement to local professionals to bring their laptops into our space forms a large part of the unique coffee shop culture that Swork has cultivated over the years.
Organizer
Patricia Vuagniaux
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
