It's Not Us!

Recently a cafe in Portland, Oregon caused a controversy when it asked a customer to leave, apparently because he was a police officer.  This has created a great deal of buzz on the web with angry emails, internet posts and several facebook pages urging a boycott.  Yes, and you guessed it, the name of the cafe is the Red and Black Cafe. 

We would like to make it perfectly clear to all, that we are in no way associated with this business.  We pride ourselves for being a cafe that is open to everyone.  To act differently is not simply bad business, it's just mean. 

We obviously have a special respect and gratitude for our local officers who helped us through a tragic event.  To be on the receiving end of many angry misguided emails is a bitter irony.

We look forward to seeing those of you who are in Middletown this summer

and for our MPD, if you're in the neighborhood, stop by for a coffee on us.

 May 6^th marked the one year anniversary of Johanna Justin-Jinich’s murder at the Red & Black Café.  Our thoughts continue to be with her family and friends, as well as our own staff who experienced this tragedy.  We are thankful to everyone who has respected the privacy of our staff, as they continue to heal from this devastating experience. 

You, our customers, have been extremely supportive of the café, as has Wesleyan University.  We would not still be here if it were not for you.

Finally, we are happy to see positive efforts for change in Johanna’s name.  The Kibera School for Girls and the Johanna Justin-Jinich Memorial Clinic of Kibera need your support and we encourage everyone to help them carry out a mission that her family and friends believe Johanna would have actively supported. 

www.facebook.com/pages/The-Johanna-Justin-Jinich-Memorial-Clinic-of-Kibera

www.hopetoshine.org/projects/clinic/

Karen Polascik

Ed Thorndike