I do not think the wording of your poll is fair. I completely support the Ugly Mug coffee shop and the need for something like this in Eldersburg, but you worded the first option with a sarcastic negative slant!!

Thanks for your comment, Donna. It looks like that option is not getting a lot of votes, so other folks don't agree with it either. Editor's note: If folks support Ugly Mug, and don't agree with the poll options, they should put their thoughts in the comments section. We'll do a round-up of comments later this week if we get a lot of them. Thanks!

I remember reporting on this quite a few times while at the Eagle and still scratch my head how this isn't getting off the ground. As it is, I'm typing this inside of a coffee house that is doing the exact same thing minus the mugs and opened this year and regularly keep my offices hours at The Coffee Loft in Sarasota, Fla. Granted, this building was in much better shape. I think the Journey folks should reach out to the people here to get some tips and suggestions. Here's the story and video on the Coffee Loft. http://patch.com/A-s0mt

Charles, how did they raise the money necessary to open The Coffee Loft?

Interesting. Thanks for the reply! There are many similarities here but also many differences.

The Journey is significantly smaller (about 120) as are most churches in our area compared to the 3000 which is actually fairly typical in the South. What I find extraordinary is that The Journey also raised precisely $28k in literally the first six months of this project. That was cash, not pledges.

We didn't intend to buy the building at first either. That strategy became necessary about 2.5 years ago when new information made it clear that the cost for U&O (use and occupancy) was going to be $200k. The owner wasn't willing/able to cover that at that time. The Journey certainly wasn't going to put $200,000 into a building they did not own. But they would if they owned it. The problem was the owner was asking too much. So we started looking for another location--storefronts, etc. There was NOTHING in a decent location, not to mention affordable. In January 2011, the owner was willing to renegotiate and we began a new campaign the following spring.

We have been and continue to network with the deep pockets. We all agree, we need one or two more of those to make this happen.

[Running out of space. Will continue in the next post.]

Probably the biggest difference between the two concepts is the cost of space. In the Baltimore/DC area, we're not going to find anything like the current facility for $1k/month.

[Continued from previous post.]

The latest strategy is certainly the best idea. But it was an idea we pursued a few years ago before we started looking for another facility. As Steve said in his press release (www.TheUglyMug.net/DearEldersburg.html) the problem now is we're waiting on other people to renovate and the timeline is completely out of our hands.

The weeds are not looking too good. Your name is on the sign so you should take care of the outside. It does not reflect wekk on your future name and business. We have to look at all the overgrown weeds. You all have time to climb the billboard to change Doug's clothes, take that time for the WEEDS!!! Remember: cleanliness is next to godliness.

Can someone give us more information about Mr. Johnson and why he is only charging 1,000 a month for rent? We do have coffe houses in the community now that are socially conscious vs when this pug in a mug was first started. we now have 2 Starbucks, Panera, and Zi Pani. What is the difference between the difference each coffee house?
And I do agree with the comment that said the wees look awful, and remember, a Royal Farm Storm will be going on that corner at anytime. So how does Pug in a Mug make good business sense?

I love Starbucks, Panera and Zi Pani. (Pug in a Mug closed down sometime ago.) But The Ugly Mug is similar only in that we will serve coffee and food. Unlike the other cafes in Eldersrburg, The Ugly Mug will feature a wide-open space for concerts, parties and community gatherings. We'll have billiards, video games and table games. (Unlike most cafes, we WANT people to come and stay and hang out, especially youth because there's nothing for them to do in Eldersburg.) We'll serve exclusively fair-trade coffee, our food will come from local farmers as much as possible, and we'll offer ways for our community to connect with social justice opportunities around the world. You can learn more about The Ugly Mug at our web site, www.TheUglyMug.net.

As for the weeds, we're planning to take care of them this weekend. We know they are a "growing problem" (pun intended). We don't currently occupy the building and our volunteers have been in planning and fund-raising mode and not so much in weed maintenance mode. Since this is an effort for the community, we need the community's effort. So if you can lend a hand on Saturday at 10:00, that would be greatly appreciated.

I don't know who Mr. Johnson is but if you're referring to the $1000 rent for The Coffee Loft, I'm sure it has much to do with lower property costs in FL. We live in one of the most expensive areas in the country. The Ugly Mug isn't cheap, but it's worth it.

Who is going to be using this "wide-open space for concerts, parties and community gatherings" on Sunday mornings?

You could always reach out to the Middle & High Schools that require 75 hours of community service for graduation. Just a thought.....

Hi Bill, on Sunday mornings The Journey will most-likely use that space (and contribute about $2000 per month for it. This is an important revenue stream for the business plan to work.) The rest of the week it's open to whoever wants to use it.

Donna, thanks for the suggestions. We have given hundreds of community hours to students through the course of this project and we will again. Now, we need professionals to complete the major renovations. After that, students and volunteers will be needed again in full effect. So right now, we need the community to contribute financially.