Dear Editor,
After almost 25 years in business, Happy Trails Café will close its doors for the final time on Monday, March 11, 2019.
After discussions ensued with the landlords of the building regarding the end of the current lease on March 31 and the possibility of a sale of the café, they decided that they would raise the rent 64 percent for any person, including myself, to sign a new lease. After some heated discussion, they agreed to lower that amount for me or potential buyers to the 38 percent increase; still a completely unsustainable amount as I already pay over $2300/month for just the rent.
The original couple that had decided they wanted to buy Happy Trails and expand it backed out of the sale, saying the rent increase and increased costs of business would be too much. I was shortly thereafter contacted by my landlords telling me I had 2 weeks to have a buyer signed with a new lease contract with them, or they would lease the building beginning April 1 to a new business. I was able to extend this obscene timeline to 4 weeks, giving me until December 31 to meet their terms. Amazingly, I found someone who wanted to expand their business ventures and purchase the café, knowing the new rent rates. They signed an intent-to-buy with me and I delivered them to my landlords within the time frame provided. The landlords came back with a decided “no,” they would not rent the space to my buyer, therefore, not let me sell the café.
They have decided that the best course of action for them for the space is to raise the rent even more and rent it out to a dispensary.
Unfortunately, there is nothing more to be done to keep me and Happy Trails in the space, however, if you have strong feelings against a dispensary, you can go to the BoT meetings that will come up regarding the issue.
I have looked into moving the cafe to another space in town, but with the expense of the move and the lease requirements of a new space, it is simply not possible for me. Nothing left to do but liquidate the cafe and do my best to recoup some of the loss.
I want to extend an enormous thanks to everyone who has supported me, and the café, over the years. It has been an incredible journey and the laughter, conversations, cups of coffee and all of you will be missed immensely. This decision has broken my heart as I have put everything I have into Happy Trails Café since I purchased it on July 7, 2014, making it a meeting place and loved space for the members of this community.
Please come in for some final burritos, tacos and coffee, and remember that we are not closed yet! We’ll be here all the way through Monday, March 11. I hope to see all of you very soon!!
Cheers,
Casey
Happy Trails Cafe
