1369 to celebrate ten year anniversary this Monday
By Susie Davidson
CORRESPONDENT
This Monday, ten years of successful independence amid the
Starbucks, Peets and Dunkin’ Donuts of the world will be celebrated in a
very giving and community-oriented way at both 1369 Coffee House locations.
From 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at 1369 Cambridge St. in Inman Square and 757
Massachusetts Ave. in Central Square, live music, free food and drink as well
as special displays will mark the grand occasion, with donations accepted for
designated recipient organizations On The Rise (Inman) and Food For Free
(Central).
Four special plaques of appreciation have been created for each store; one for all past and present employees, one for local business neighbors, one for vendors and one depicting the 30-odd awards the unique coffeehouse has won over the years. Staff collages, in lieu of the usual photo and art exhibits, will remain up as well for the duration of January. On The Rise will staff an informational table at the Inman Square location; representatives from both organizations will be on hand at both locations along with former coffeehouse staff, friends and neighbors. Live music will be performed by local artists, who will include 1369 staff and alumni.
1369 opened for business in January, 1993 at the former site of
the 1369 Jazz Club in Inman Square; the second Central Square location opened
the following year at a former hair salon. It’s been mocha madness since
as the café has firmly established itself as both a purveyor of exceptional
beverages, desserts and sandwiches as well as a nonthreatening, welcoming
hangout for every manner of customer – the literati/scribe, the
people-watcher, the walk-in and out, the technogeek, the regular member of the
1369 family. Within the homey, wooden environs, ensconsed in art and
cutting-edge music, all find a place they can call their own, far from the
Gaps, the malls, the fluorescent, stale uniformity.
A decade ago, Gerry Wolf and Nancy Gaudet had a vision to provide
superior coffee and espresso drinks within an accommodating, familiar
atmosphere. Wolf had traveled the West Coast, exploring and documenting the
nascent coffee craze in coffee shops, before establishing the café.
“Over the years 1369 has become a vibrant part of the
Cambridge community,” said general manager Mark LaHoud, who came to 1369
in April, 1994 to help open and operate the Central Square location. LaHoud had
previously worked as a manager, along with Gaudet, during the late 1980's and
early 1990's at Bel Canto, which, owned by Wolf, had begun further up Mass Ave.
in 1976. Before this, he worked at Digital Computer.
Following the sale of Bel Canto, Wolf ran several area restaurant
companies including Cherrystones; LaHoud returned to school and managed other
restaurants while Gaudet headed west for a time. “At a Halloween party in
1993, Gerry, Nancy and I started talking about my joining them at 1369,”
LaHoud recalled, adding that coming back to work with them was an easy
decision. When Gaudet left the coffeehouse in 1996; LaHoud assumed the
responsibilities of running the company.
“Gerry presently serves as my advisor,” said LaHoud,
who is assisted by Jackie McCarthy, a part of 1369 from the outset, as well as
Steve Singer, an alumnus and friend from the Bel Canto days. “Gerry and I
have the same basic philosophy - commit yourself to excellence and have fun
while you're doing it,” he noted.
Wolf serves on the board of directors for On The Rise, a group
located at 341 Broadway in Cambridge which provides support services for women
living in crisis or homelessness. “1369 staff often volunteer and provide
services for our events, such as the coffee they brewed and donated for our
holiday party for clients,” said On The Rise Director of Development and
Communications Laura Lambert. “They also work to create a coffeehouse
environment where all people are welcome, no matter what their life situation.
I know that homeless individuals often feel at ease having a cup of coffee at
1369, and are welcome to stay as long as they like on a cold day.”
Food For Free, located at 11 Inman St. in Central Square and in
existence since 1981, collects and distributes leftover and donated food to
food pantries, shelters, and meal programs in the Cambridge/Somerville area.
“It’s been a great pleasure to serve the Cambridge
community,” said Wolf. “We feel we are actually an integral part of
it,” he continued. “It’s not like running a business;
it’s more like providing a service.”
They are considering a couple of other Cambridge locations, but
fear not. “We may expand in the future, but we don’t want to be a
chain, but rather a small family-operated business,” said Wolf. “We
truly run this like a family.”
“But our primary goal is to be the best coffee house
anywhere,” added LaHoud. “We're looking forward to a terrific party.”