patching...
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

Church And Dodge

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Boocoo Planning Board Formed to Reassess, Reorganize Center

Boocoo’s Sunday fundraiser failed to bring in large donations but started discussions about the future of the cultural center.

The Boocoo Cultural Center and Cafe’s Sunday afternoon fundraising event was about more than just accepting donations. The event was an opportunity for supporters to engage in an honest discussion about the surrounding neighborhood, what Boocoo’s presence means to Evanston’s 5th Ward, and how the center can reorganize to remain open and become vibrant. Located at the intersection of Church Street and Dodge Avenue, across the street from Evanston Township High School, Boocoo is a combination coffeehouse, eatery, recording studio, meeting space, music and dance school, garden, live-performance stage and art gallery that opened in July 2007, but which recently announced that it might be forced to close due to financial burdens. The fundraiser…

Comment_arrow

mij

8:31 am on Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Lonson I suggest you visit the Farmer Market at Ridge and South Blvd at Ridgeville Park. Sounds like it has same problems as the West End Market. Poor foot traffic. The Main Street Business District could be better, Goods and Vogue Fabrics are a big Plus.   more ›

Friday, September 30, 2011

UPDATE: Former Boocoo Directors Express Culture of Financial Woes

Two of the Boocoo's former directors said the center was never financially stable.

UPDATE: “I think facts will stand as they are” Cheifetz said. "People who care about Boocoo and city understand the investment that has been made in Boocoo and we welcome them to get to know the place better and support it and give us their constructive feedback.” Earlier: Two former directors of the Boocoo Cultural Center and Café say that the center’s Oct. 2 fundraising event will do little to help the financially strapped business and that the real problem is mismanagement. Ted Sirota and Debi Chess Mabie, directors from December 2007 to August 2008 and September 2008 to spring 2009 respectively, both independently said that the center failed to create a financially viable business model and that the owner did not seek out grants and …

Michelle

10:32 am on Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Well put Ted, I agree with you fully!!! Rocker Mom   more ›

Monday, September 12, 2011

UPDATED: Boocoo Cultural Center May Close

Financial woes might force the community art center and coffeehouse to shut its doors.

[Updated] The Boocoo Cultural Center and Café might soon close due to financial burdens and is calling on the Evanston community for help. Located at the intersection of Church Street and Dodge Avenue, across the street from Evanston Township High School, Boocoo is a combination coffeehouse, eatery, recording studio, meeting space, live-performance stage, garden, art gallery and music school that opened in July 2007 and lists its mission as “[providing] a safe and nurturing environment in which individuals can explore and express their creative passions.” (Read earlier: Opinion: Do you Boocoo?) Jason Vanhoose, director at Boocoo, said there were several contributing factors to the center’s current fiscal problems. “There has always been a …

John Noyes

3:31 pm on Monday, September 12, 2011

I'm really sad to hear this about Boocoo. I used to take drum lessons over there and was so encouraged every week to see the ETHS students using it as a hang out and being able to express themselves creatively. I have always thought that the premise behind Boocoo was so great for the community and a welcome safe haven in that neighborhood. Sad to see it go....   more ›

Got a Hot Tip?