What a wild year 2007 was. It has been so gratifying to have such big crowds since we reopened in late October. Many folks said we would be very very busy after being closed for almost 8 months and I wanted to believe them. But, I feared that people would forget us or that it would take months or years to reach the levels of business that we had achieved pre-fire. Mother's burned in March - Cosmic Cafe (veg. place that opened in our former West Lynn Cafe location in Clarksville) closed it's doors - Nu Age Cafe closed after the untimely death of it's owner. All of the sudden, Austin wasn't the oasis of vegetarian restaurants.

We looked into tent dining in our parking lot but quickly found-out that the red tape was far too thick. We considered operating Mother's Cafe in the Nu Age location. We looked into buying a catering bus from Keith at The Daily Juice and parking it in our lot to serve during reconstruction. We even thought about buying back the West Lynn Cafe and turning it into Mother's Cafe #2. But, we thought that we'd be able to rebuild the Duval location far sooner than it turned-out and felt that trying to operate another location would hinder progress of the rebuild.  We never dreamed that it would be late October before we were able to reopen.

But now we're back. Seeing so many smiling faces again walking though our front door and hearing so many "we're so glad you're back!" has been one of the most uplifting experiences of my life. 

Thanks Austin! 

Cameron Alexander

co-owner

Donations

I have received emails from folks graciously offering to contribute to our employee fund.

Checks can be sent to:
Mother's Cafe 4215 Duval Street Austin, TX 78751
Make Checks payable to:
Mother's Cafe Employee Fund

Thanks Austin!

The outpouring of support from employees present and past, our loyal customers and wonderful neighbors who live or have businesses nearby has been truly heartwarming. At the risk of leaving someone out, a huge special thanks goes out to Kevin (Habbib)White who was there baking when the fire started, The Austin Fire Department, our wonderful staff and managers, Mark Lewis of Sysco for his superhuman effort early on, Emmett Fox of Asti and Bick Brown of Hyde Park Bar and Grill for feeding us, offering cooler space and meeting space, and just being there for us since the fire, Roseanne and Lawrence Becker for their immaculate timing showing-up that first day with baked goodies, chocolate kisses and kind words of support, all of the folks who have come by, called and emailed their best wishes for a quick come-back, and last but not least, our families.

Have Ideas/Suggestions?

If anyone out there has ideas for fundraisers or experience putting together and managing silent auctions, please email me using the “contactâ€ï¿½ link. I have loved hearing from so many of you and do keep the email coming. It really helps me keep a smile on my face and optimism in my heart.

I will update MOTHER'S BLOG as news develops. We will rise from the ashes.

Cameron Alexander
co-owner

Oh yes......you can still get Cashew Tamari Dressing at Whole Foods, Wheatsville and both Fresh Plus Stores!

We would love to hear from former employees who want to work at Mother's again. Are you experienced and want to work at Mother's? Send me an email by using the "contact" link above - let's talk.

Anne, John, and Cameron

Yes, the demo is being done on the heat and smoke damaged main building. It's barely recognizable inside. All of the sheetrock has been stripped from all walls and ceiling. The tile floor is gone and will be replaced with stained concrete. We are pondering leaving the ceiling open up into the roof trusses. Thanks for hanging in there with us and it won't be so long now before we can get that Bueno Burger with Guac. My mouth is watering just writing about it. "...............you don't know what you've got till it's gone" Well, we're coming back!

Thanks for all of your support and kind emails.

I dropped by my favorite other restaurant - KaProw at Howard Ln and I-35 - yesterday for a wonderful lunch of my usual Pad Thai with tofu/add broccoli along with some Tom Ka soup (didn't have Veg sushi this time 'cause I couldn't fit it in) and Opart handed me a check for the money he raised for us. Thank you Chef O and thanks to all of you who dined there during the fundraiser. If you haven't tried KaProw, do yourself a favor and check out the best Aisan food in the area. Opart - you rock!

Thanks to all of you who have sent donations.

We miss you all especially our wonderful staff who have mostly all moved on to other jobs. May you fare well. Come back for a visit - we'd love to see you or work with you again! Cameron, John and Anne

Fortunately, no one was hurt but our garden dining area was destroyed and the inside was badly damaged by heat and smoke. The fire was started by a homeless man who had gotten into our fenced backyard and started a cooking/warming fire that got out of control and quickly engulfed the garden area. The good news is that our kitchen is in great shape and we have approval from the Health Dept. to use it.

Early on, we hoped to be able to start doing take-out orders and even set up a makeshift dining area under tents in the parking lot. The wheels at the City turn slowly and we have been trying to get permits to do both of these things. But, it is clear now that the inside of the main building will have to be gutted, the roof will have to be replaced and we'll not be able to use our kitchen during construction. We hope to be able to start rebuilding sometime in May and probably open with just the inside (like the early days before the Garden) by mid-summer while we rebuild some type of indoor/outdoor dining area where the Garden once was. We're thinking that we won't be fully operational with both an inside and "Garden" area until September.

At this point, insurance companies are the main player and, as we are finding out, it takes time to assess the costs, come-up with a design, get bids on the re-construction, and get permits, etc, etc. It's very frustrating how slowly things are moving but we hear from people who deal with this every day that things really are moving along pretty well.

As some of you vegetarians know, it can be a non-vegetarian experience sometimes eating at Asian restaurants. Ka-Prow is the ONE place I rely on for awesome food that is 100% vegetarian when you order it that way. I've known the owner for years and he and his staff know what it means to prepare veg. food. Chef O keeps his knives, cutting boards, etc. separate and trains his staff to do the same. Not only is he careful in this way, but the food is spectacular. It's the one place in town that I will order Sushi (no fish, of course!) and know that it's clean!!!! Just make sure they know you're Veg. or Vegan and they'll take care of you. My favorites are the Pad Thai (vegan, no egg/add broccoli) and whatever Veg. sushi that Opart wants to create for us. We're never disappointed.

Ka-Prow is at the northeast corner of Howard Lane and I-35 (I know, it's way north but believe me, it's worth the drive). Please tell them that Cameron @ Mother's Cafe sent you and express my thanks to them for this wonderful gesture. Nicki, Colin and I will be there this coming Wed. 4/11 for an early dinner before we head to the Dell Diamond to see the RR Express play baseball.

Then, under a near full moon on a crisp and clear Austin spring night, Geoff Kaiser, Redd Volkhaert, and Eric Johnson with Roscoe Beck and Tommy Taylor wowed the crowd with some really fine music. A great time was had by all. I even got to play a song with Eric. Thank you Roscoe for sitting one out and letting me live a dream!

Special thanks to Dave and Danny and all of the staff for their kindness in making us all feel at home while we don't have one.