Told you big changes were a'comin'!

I posted on facebook yesterday that we had paid the final balance, in full, on the loan we had with the city of Two Rivers. It had been suggested to us by "the city" two or three years ago (I don't actually recall how long ago it's been, but it seems like it's been a decade at least) that we look into applying for a loan to expand the business. It seemed like a great idea at the time, we were doing well and moving forward, the interest rate was low, the feedback we got and research we did on gelato was persuasive and positive. So we went through with it.

In hindsight it may have been the worst decision we've made here. Taking place shortly before the national/world financial collapse it was certainly the most unfortunate timing for such an expansion. The loan and our dealings with the city concerning it were stressful and frustrating. But I'll delve into this part of the Stumpjack story in greater detail in the book. For right now what is important to share is that that particular monkey is off our back and that it also signals a positive change, a new direction, for Stumpjack.

We are transferring this particular business in this particular location to our dear friend, Don Radke. We've transferred ownership of the equipment, fixtures and whatever else makes this coffee house work to Don, effectively giving him a turn-key business that he will now use in creating an environment that is his creative vision and that will no doubt continue to be as dynamic and powerful a force for creativity and community bonding as was Stumpjack.

Moving to another location while creating this sort of partnership with another coffee house is something we've been pursuing and hoping would happen for some time now. We just needed the right person to present him- or herself (a few folks have inquired over the years but either they didn't pan out or didn't feel right to us). Don is that right person. I'll also talk at greater length about Don and our friendship with him in the book, but for now let me say that it's been a very interesting journey for each of us these past few years. In hindsight we can see that there were a number of forces and circumstances that were quietly and unknown to us working in concert to make this happen, including perhaps the most powerful force of all in our mutual friend, Pato Banton. Yes, that Pato Banton, he of Grammy nominated, reggae and spiritual mentor fame (yep, that will be in the book too...I'm trying to keep this post as brief as is reasonable while providing as much pertinent information as I think you would like to know).

The name "Stumpjack" belongs to me; it's my copyrighted property along with a few other things associated with Stumpjack Coffee Company. The coffee house now presently known as Stumpjack will have a new name, as Don begins to transform the aura of this business into his own. I won't tell you what he'll be calling the coffee house. The unveiling or release of that to the public is his privilege. But I can tell you that the vibe of the place will be one that, among other things, definitely tips its hat in a big way to our friend Pato Banton.

What does this mean for Stumpjack? A number of things: one, we have some lingering debts that we still need to address and which we'll continue working on until each and every one is cleared. Two, Stumpjack will be relocating to another area. Three, there will be an interval of time before that happens as we will continue to be here for some time, several months at least, at what will become Don's realized vision while we help him get his feet solidly on the ground with running a coffee and music business. He's coming into this full of excitement and enthusiasm, but fresh-faced and green as unroasted coffee beans. We are committed to helping him become as expert and skilled in coffee as we are, and to that end we intend to be here teaching and working with Don for as long as it's both necessary and fun.

Kim and I will continue to do the Stumpjack Sunday breakfasts, our music calendar will continue as it has and with even more events added, there will be some new things that Don will be adding that will be fun and completely different from the things we have done. Stumpjack will also continue to have a presence here even after we're into our own new location and project, with art displays and coffee roasting on the agenda. And what will soon be known as [new name yet to be revealed] will also have a presence in the new Stumpjack location. That mutual support and participation with one another has been a big part of the conversation and vision that we've all had going into this (Don, Kim, Pato and myself) and which we hope to realize to an even greater degree in the years to come (on a multi-state level).

We're very excited, happy, hopeful, uplifted, eager and even a little scared maybe... Thank you, all of our friends and supporters who have been a part of this ongoing, ever-evolving journey with us. We thank you and love you and are excited that you'll also be an ongoing part of the Stumpjack evolution.

Lemonhead meeting Saturday night

You'll see on the right sidebar a new feature: a Calendar of Events! Thanks to our personal neon and computer guru, Marty, for placing that handy feature on the site for us. Just click on an event title to get a little more info about it.

Had a super nice time last weekend with reggae and world music superstar Pato Banton and the Now Generation. I'm writing a review of the band's performances at Stumpjack for their website and promo efforts, and as part of my ongoing book project. If there's a harder working, more fun and uplifting band on the planet today I'd be very surprised. More to come, but for now, huge gratitude and respect to Pato, Antoinette, Tony, Bryan, Mikey, Eddie, Beeken and Danny. Dig this image of the band and us after the show (thanks to Marty & Glenn for the pic).

Saturday night at 7:30 or so we'll have the opening of an art exhibition by Mz. Kim Smith, who may be familiar to some of you as the good cop in the good cop/bad cop Stumpjack squad. Kim is a wonderful mosaic artist and some of her recent work (along with a couple older pieces) will be on display for the next month or two. She'll be adding to the exhibition each week as well, as pieces are sold and need to be replaced, so pop in often to see what's new on the walls. I don't have any good images of any new work but here's an older piece she made and sold to some folks a couple years ago (I think it might be in a cottage up north somewhere right now...it was a big piece, maybe 4 ft across. Most of the pieces in this show are much smaller, for ease of taking home with you!).

As part of Saturday night's festivities we will also be hosting the simply wonderful, effervescent and lyrical Lillie Lemon! Lillie (Jessica) and her band will begin at 8pm. Last time Lillie was scheduled to perform something very exciting dropped into her lap at the last minute and we postponed the show. She'll tell you about it tomorrow night I'm sure. There is something so refreshing, honest and buoyant about a Lillie Lemon gig. It just seems to make you suddenly aware that you're smiling...you have unwittingly become a LemonHead. She's coming up from Chicago so come out and join us and help support excellent live music in our community. You'll be really glad you did. Dig this poster made and then modified (had to change the date for this rescheduled show) by the statuesque and gifted Tina Kugler.