CAFE - Collaboration at its finest

By Kristine Williams

There’s a saying: No news is good news. Working as a reporter has unveiled this truth – calls go un-returned, hallways are mysteriously vacant when I show up and I’m thanked when I mention something slated for coverage has been deemed to not be “newsworthy” enough.

The slew of negative press enveloping Stockton in recent weeks, months, years even, makes heads shake and elicits groans from those of us working – largely behind the scenes – to get Stockton moving again. Therefore, I’ve decided to abandon the “no news is good news” mantra and unveil an organization of civic-minded individuals volunteering their time to improve this city. 

The group is CAFÉ – Community Assistance Foundation for Empowerment and – in large thanks to the support of citizenry and Stockton-based community organizations – the group is officially ready to launch.

Located in an old brick building in downtown Stockton, 235 N. San Joaquin St., CAFÉ “coop” – as it’s affectionately known by its members – has been undergoing a slow transformation.

The original idea can be credited to founder and Director Esperanza Vielma, a Stockton native who envisioned a collective workspace where the city’s progressive minded could meet, collaborate and exchange visions and ideas about how to improve their blacklisted community. In addition to establishing CAFÉ Coop, Vielma works to further the progress of small businesses in the Stockton community.

The renovated building is now home to an assortment of local businesses, coalitions and individuals all working to further goals that benefit our city: 

• ·         San Joaquin Bicycle Coalition
• ·         Friends of the Lower Calaveras River
• ·         Frankenmuffin Productions – a media-marketing company that furthers the business of nonprofits and startup companies
• ·         Creative Dreams Society – a local theater group that works with Stockton youth
• ·         Minh Tran – cofounder
• ·         Ellen Powell and Cynthia Lau – prominent community members who have assisted in large part with CAFÉ’s organizational outreach

Recently elected Stockton City Councilman Michael Tubbs has also decided to utilize some of CAFÉ Coop’s unique working space to house his interns, further enhancing the diversity of backgrounds and ideas bouncing around all beneath one downtown roof.

The efforts of CAFÉ are financed through membership dues. Dues range from around $20 to full tenant status at $265 and provide a range of customizable benefits – e.g. business-class printing and Wi-Fi, a professional business address, bistro food, beer, wine and free coffee – and access options – conference, meeting and media rooms, special events and seminars – that can be tailored to individual preference.

The atmosphere is positive and collaborative, traits that have not been applied to Stockton in recent media coverage but that are alive and well and tangible nonetheless. The shared workspace fosters a sense of ownership among all involved in CAFÉ’s endeavors and regular events keep CAFÉ’s members aware of what their counterparts are up to.

This type of olive branch relationship has led to shared projects among CAFÉ members and tenants. Each helps the others in its own way and gains a deeper understanding of what it means to contribute to a city struggling to redefine its image.

CAFÉ’s location is also deliberate in that the business rejects the notion that downtown Stockton is a place to avoid. The entire downtown area is rich in architectural and civic history and CAFÉ seeks to promote the revitalization of Stockton’s long neglected downtown.

If this post has piqued your interest, you are more than welcome to attend some of CAFÉ’ Coop’s free events. 

Each week CAFÉ sponsors Marvelous Monday, a chance from 6 to 9 p.m. for interested individuals, businesses and organizations to tour the facility, chat with current members and share in a free potluck provided by tenants.

A more intense networking experience is offered each month during CAFÉ’s free First Friday event held – you got it – on the first Friday of each month starting at 5 p.m. with food and drink and live music and local artist displays. (Next one up is March 1!).

The events are worth attending, if only to walk away with a more positive outlook about this city and the people living in it.

To learn more about the good things happening downtown, visit cafecoop.org or CAFÉ Coop’s Facebook page (especially useful for getting more info. about specific events) or call Esperanza at (209) 645-0692.