Visions for Vacancies: Former Hippie Gypsy Cafe

The Hippie Gypsy Cafe in the Gourmet Ghetto closed in January and the space is still vacant. What do you think should go here?

This space is located at 1797-A Shattuck Ave, just a couple of blocks from University Avenue.

The Hippie Gypsy Cafe opened less than two years ago in September of 2011. Owner Mary Dirks in an article on Berkeleyside said, “...what it boils down to is that we just didn’t have enough customers to pay the rent.” She seemed to have high hopes for the business when they opened, wanted to make customer service the centerpiece of her cafe, which had the theme “Peace, Love, and Music.”

It’s always sad to see a local business fail and have to close their business. That is one of the problems where we’re trying to help. Perhaps there was a better location for her business where it could have thrived.  

And this is why we keep running these articles: to learn what people in Berkeley want, provide that information to small business owners so people get the things they want closer to them and to help small businesses succeed.

Berkeley does have a lot of restaurants, eateries, cafes, and shops so maybe there’s really nothing left which is also good to know.  

But if there are things you would like to see in this space you can suggest it on Spotmojo using this link:  http://www.spotmojo.com/openspot/1797shattuck/ 

Berkeley Patch is working with Spotmojo to collect your suggestions.  Spotmojo is a website where you can suggest the businesses you want where you live, work, or play.  The suggestions are used to help new businesses find the perfect location.  This gives you a voice in the businesses that open in your neighborhood and it helps local businesses succeed.