Sin Fronteras Coffee will offer fair trade Zapatista coffee from Chiapas, and work directly with the farmers. We also see the need in our communities, where people struggle balancing a busy and poor life, for the cafe to be a model of dignified work at a living wage. Once established, Sin Fronteras Coffee will give to members of disenfranchised communities the opportunity to learn to run a sustainable, autonomous cooperative business. Our commitment to horizontal growth means that we will support and promote others to open similar small, worker-owned co-ops.

Our proposal for Omni Commons:

1. Collective Structure. Worker owned co-op, new owners by invitation only.

2. Community Benefit. Cultural and political education and social events; support for events at the Omni with Cafe service; once we are established, youth internships. In the future, financial and business training to co-op members and employees.

3. Schedule.  Proposed hours of operation (subject to change) 7:30am-5:30pm Mon-Fri and cafe service for events at Omni collectives with anticipation.  We will establish a system to request cafe service during events.

4. Security. Conversation needed re. protection of equipment and safety after cafe hours.  We will position equipment with safety in mind  We will consider increased security and protection of equipment, if needed, in a way that decoratively and artistically contributes to the space.  

5. Source of Goods.  We aim to serve organic and just trade coffee from Zapatista cooperatives in Chiapas, Mexico.  All produce, pastries and dairy will be sourced through local suppliers

6. Community Market. Opportunities for Omni Commons collectives and other POC, Women Owned, Queer Owned businesses to showcase their products.

7. Lease details.

1.    Parties:                            The Omni Commons (“Lessor”)

                                                        Abad, Michelle, Rocio and Jose   (“Lessee”)  

2.   Premises:                            Omni Commons

3.   Term:                                   2 years with 2 options to renew.

4.   Commencement:         January 1, 2018

5.   Use:                                   Coffee/Limited Food

6.   Base Rent:  $800 a month plus approximately $250 utilities (garbage,  PG&E, internet, water based on what other collectives pay).  This rate gives  24/7 access to the building for cafe operations; and the ability to hold events in the Entrance Hall at the time the lease is signed. Free use of the Ballroom for occasional large events will be available at the end of the rental abatement period. Lessee will pay property taxes based on square ft usage. Rent will increase by 3% annually.  

7. Insurance: Lessee shall obtain general commercial liability insurance with liability limits not less than $1,000,000/$2,000,000 aggregate​, a Waiver of Subrogation​, and naming Lessor (Omni Commons) ​as an additionally insured.

8.  Start-up Costs & Build Out:   We estimate the build-out and improvement costs at approx $8,000. Omni Commons will abate our monthly rent and utilities for 6 months to help Sin Fronteras manage this initial investment.  

9. Improvements:  Lessee shall provide the following improvements, using building standard finishes, subject to a mutually acceptable space plan, and all applicable permits:

• Coffee Bar

• Plumbing and Electrical upgrades  

• Appropriate tile and floor finishing

• Painting

10. Storage:   Extra storage will be included, approximately 10 sq ft in basement .

11. Parking:  Only street parking.                                                    

13. Security Deposit:  Upon lease execution, Lessee shall provide Lessor with a security deposit equivalent to the last month’s rent.

14.  Financials:  Lessee will be responsible for funding of leasehold improvements.

Some useful links:

Akat Cafe Video: https://vimeo.com/139681504

Encinal Oakland work: https://www.encinaloakland.org/motion-reel

For questions please email:

abad@encinaloakland.org