Social justice hub and community space Rhizome Cafe announces closure

by Craig Takeuchi on April 16th, 2013 at 1:50 PM

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Rhizome Café, an East Vancouver health-conscious eatery and hub for social activism and various communities, has made the difficult decision to close in July.

In an open letter posted on their website, Lisa Moore and Vinetta Lenuat explained that there are numerous reasons for the closure. The cofounders cited their desire to have time and energy to devote to their families and international social justice causes.

Rising costs were another major factor. In November 2011, Moore and Lenuat launched the Friends of Rhizome fundraising campaign to sustain their financial survival in the face of rising costs and a sluggish economy.

The campaign is still receiving funds to help pay off debts and supporting Rhizome staff.

But this isn't the complete end of the beloved community space, which has hosted over 200 community events, ranging from queer salsa to events by university organizations (CiTR, UBC First Nations Studies Students Association). Moore and Lenaut hope to reopen Rhizome in Toronto (where they will move to be closer to their families).

What's more, a discussion about how to ensure the legacy of Rhizome's values can continue on will be held on June 13 at 7 p.m. at the café.

The last three months will be a celebration of their successes. For more information or to help out (including finding a buyer), visit the Rhizome website. A final open house farewell will be held on June 22, the anniversary of their opening date.

Comments

16 Comments

Ray

Apr 16, 2013 at 3:20pm

It's not called a "celebration of their success" when they are going out of business and can't even pay their staff. Maybe they should have spent more time on the food and service and less on "social justice"?

V

Apr 16, 2013 at 3:59pm

Ray - that depends on what you believe to be success.

Gregg

Apr 16, 2013 at 4:14pm

"Womyn's" bookstores, lesbian bars, "social justice cafes" - all extinct. There's no money in man-hating feminism.

SN

Apr 16, 2013 at 6:15pm

Calling lesbian bars "man-hating" is like calling guys who go to straight bars "man-hating." Which... is maybe what you meant.

Also, Rhizome, like the vast majority of modern feminism, feminists, and feminist endeavours, has no mandate on hating men. Patriarchy sucks for men too!

VanEastVillage

Apr 16, 2013 at 6:18pm

Lisa and Vinetta were the first connections we made when we moved to Vancouver. They're warm giving people with a strong drive to reach out to everyone in all walks of life. Comments that are anything but complimentary are completely ignorant & inappropriate here. We wish them all the success they deserve and we know that great things are ahead for them where ever they live.

Peter Driftmier

Apr 16, 2013 at 6:20pm

Lisa, Vinetta, and staff:
We'll all miss Rhizome! Such an important place to so many people in East Vancouver. Pay-what-you-can lentil stews, amazing food and drinks, such a positive and supportive space. Best of luck in your future endeavors.
Best,
peter

I.B.

Apr 16, 2013 at 7:07pm

Will be sad to see Rhizome go. They provided Vancouver with a gorgeous social space with great food, for art, music, social justice and community thriving. I'm sure many great love affairs were inspired by the Rhizome space. Lisa and Vinettas' business was a rare and important model of socially conscious entrepreneurship and community development.