01/14/2015
A Farewell to Astoria: Friends, supporters. The Astoria celebrated its last night on Sunday, January 4. We did so quietly with a birthday party for our employees Zoltana and Tracy because, after all, it's about them.
To those local business owners who supported our fundraiser back in September, we thank you so much (hand-written thank-yous are still due to be sent out). To those of you who pitched in money or bought something to help with back debt on the lease, we cannot tell you the appreciation that we have for those contributions. The fundraiser bought us precious months and allowed us to finish the year, turn it over to new owners and save jobs. It was a better to say our bittersweet goodbye quietly. When the doors of 146 N. College re-open in 6 weeks, the new owners will honor Fort Collins and community, one that is even interviewing our staff to keep their jobs.
I put a lot of myself into Astoria, from art to rock and roll to the chandelier on the ceiling. Honored the building’s history and won an award for Interior Restoration of the Year. I brought a bit of NYC to North Old Town. We had some pretty great times. I thank each and every one of you. I thank you for supporting me and showing what great community can be, at a time I needed your support.
Family issues now call me home. As I head back to the big city and to my family where it is now clear I really need to be, I thank you for being my surrogate family since 2010. Leaving a labor of love is always hard. But sometimes, it’s right. I leave you with a bit of me.
