An open letter to the staff of Cafe Haven and those who supported the 'Keep Edmonton Original' pledge

Dear Cafe Haven staff and loyal & loving customers,

Julie and I are completely stunned by the efforts of our staff and the generosity of customers.

It is a simply brilliant idea that must have been incredibly challenging to put together: for our staff to drum up $500 from paying customers, who already show such dedicated loyalty to the cafe, so that Cafe Haven can have membership to the influential 'Keep Edmonton Original' association, is truly an outstanding act that goes well beyond the call of duty. But what has really touched us, is the time and effort by the staff to do something so thoughtful. And how positively the customers responded to such a request.

When Jenna, the staff member who orchestrated the entire thing, presented us with a huge Christmas card announcing our membership to the association and messages from staff old and new as well of customers' support, it made us both well up. If any of you have watched Jimmy Stewart's It's a Wonderful Life, well, that last scene at the end of the movie, that was how Julie and I felt. It really did.

It has without doubt, been the toughest few months the cafe has ever faced. Jenna and Courtney, with their extra responsibilities, have had more than their fair share of putting up with a couple of stressed owners - in fact, most of the staff have.

I'll be honest and say that our hearts were flagging and our heads were beginning to sag at the thought of another tough year ahead of us. It is regretable that we forget just how much customers enjoy the cafe; that we forget that people see us as more than just a coffee shop but a place in the community. We've become numb from all the problems rather than reflect on our successes.

But what the staff delivered through our customers' generosity has restored our faith and our desire to make this cafe a success. It really is a very special Christmas present - and one we shall never forget.

So thank you, thank you, staff of Cafe Haven and to all those customers who got involved with the pledge! Have yourselves a very Merry Christmas. We look forward to seeing you in 2010!

The Harveys

This letter is written in light of the fantastic efforts by Cafe Haven staff, having raised money through our loyal and loving customers, to pay for a membership to "Keep Edmonton Original", a profile-raising association for independent local businesses. This was orchestrated by staff member, Jenna Sieben.