The Bazaar Cafe on California Street is closing after 20 years. Photo by untouchedtcphoto
Bazaar Cafe owners Les and Makiko in their earlier years
The cafe is a quiet spot by day, serving up sandwiches, pastries and coffee drinks with a lovely outdoor garden in the back. Usually there is also an exhibition or two from local artists on the walls.
But on nights and weekends, the Bazaar Cafe has always been known for its live music offerings, squeezing solo artists and multi-member groups, plus audience members into the cafe’s tiny interior for spirited performances.
Local music promoter KC Turner has put on his “Bazaar Stock” festival eleven times, featuring full-day lineups of Bay Area singer/songwriters.
Turner held his final event on July 28, saying “There is no performing songwriter in me (or many others) without Bazaar Cafe. This performance space gem has been an incubator of more artists than one can count for 20 years.”
Bazaar Cafe owners Les and Makiko have seen some ups and downs in their 20 year run. In late 2012, the cafe was ready to close due to tough financial conditions. They asked for help from the community in the form of donations and in a few short weeks, raised just over $21,000 (they originally asked for $7,000).
The money paid off some bills and the rest went to forming a tax-exempt nonprofit foundation called Bazaar Foundation for the Arts, Inc. Going forward, the foundation assisted the café’s finances by sponsoring some of the music events, and also funded concerts at schools, libraries and other nonprofit and for profit performance spaces.
The poster from the first Bazaar Stock in 2009
When we called the cafe today to inquire about what’s next for the space, the staff member said she was pretty sure it would continue as a cafe and performance space. We have been unable to reach Les by email or phone yet, but when we have more news on what’s next for 5927 California, we’ll let you know.
In their official announcement (full text below), owner Les said “The café will change hands and after a brief hiatus will be up and running again under new ownership yet to be determined. How the café will operate is not known just yet. It seems certain there will be music in one form or another.”
In the meantime, there are performances every night through August 10, so stop in and pay tribute to this musical womb. There will also be a retirement party for owners Les and Makiko on August 11 from 6pm until midnight.
Sarah B.
The official announcement from their Facebook Page:
The word is out.
And, yes, it’s true.
Makiko and I are retiring from our involvement with Bazaar Café as of August 11th.
It is difficult to write just now. Our decision has been a year in the making; weighing many factors, business and personal, coming face to face with our emotions, recognizing that a major period of our lives, invested in something we have passionately nurtured for twenty years is coming to an end.
I don’t know the difference between an A string, a banjo case or a piano soft pedal. What I know is what and how music and songwriting moves me, forces me to reflect, makes me laugh, makes me cry. Twenty years ago what I would have thought about that seems shallow to me now. You have taught me much, you have enriched my life, and I am indebted to you forever.
For almost all of the approximately 6000 performances by an untold number of performers I was the oldest guy in the room. Honestly, though, it never felt that way. As I have faced you, interacted with you, enjoyed your company, it felt like age was irrelevant. You treated me as one of you. You made it fun. You kept me young!
To our non-musical but music loving patrons and fans of our performances, thank you. It would not have been twenty years without your support.
And, of course, while music has been the major focus of our entertainment offerings, many talented writers, comedians and other spoken word artists have graced our stage. I’ve read your books! I laugh at the jokes I remember, still fresh in my head!
Aware as we are that this chapter in our lives is closing, please know that we are at peace with it, we are in good health and looking forward to new adventures.
The café will change hands and after a brief hiatus will be up and running again under new ownership yet to be determined. How the café will operate is not known just yet. It seems certain there will be music in one form or another.
Practical matters: August 11th is our last day of operation. We will party, yes! Hosted bar and snacks. Please come. 6:00 – Midnight (maybe the cops will try to shut us down one more time!) Any of you who has ever set foot in our little corner of the world (and your friends) is welcome.
Please feel free to pass this along to your friends, Facebook or other, as you think appropriate.
Offering our best to you with admiration, respect and thanks,
Les (and Makiko)
Oh, this makes me sad! Thanks to the owners for supporting local artists and musicians, and for providing a cozy, sweet-funky place to enjoy a coffee and a respite from the hyperness “on the outside.” I’ve loved sitting in the garden on a decent weather day (been going there long enough to remember the goose). All best wishes for your next adventure. I hope the space isn’t torn down for a condo cluster.
well, i only went there once with my partner and the service and food was
awful. i ordered a turkey sandwhich which took forever and they were’nt even
busy and then when it arrived it looked like a snack given at a 7th grade
sleepover! paper plate, stale potato chips. the only nice thing about that place was the patio area