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Holy Cow celebrates victory, 10th birthday with benefit
The organic restaurant held a benefit to help offset its legal fees
by Jessica Stuhr | Freelance Reporter |
Holy Cow Café celebrated not only its 10th birthday in business at the University on Saturday night, but also its recent victory in a legal battle that fought to keep the all-organic, family-owned business alive in the EMU.
The locally supported, organic-food restaurant arrived at the University in 1997. Owners Kathee Lavine and husband Anton Ferreira expected the 10-year lease renewal to be a no-brainer; however, the University thought differently. Lavine and Ferreira hired lawyers and started a legal protest to keep their cafe in the EMU.
On April 28, more than three months and approximately $15,000 later, Lavine said, she signed a five-year lease renewal, which includes the option of an additional five years after that.
"A lot of people thought Holy Cow was going to die," Lavine said. "Now we can think about the future ... now we have a future at the U of O."
The benefit, entitled "Cow Fest," started at 6 p.m. in Agate Hall. Although admission was free, the business accepted donations to help subsidize its recent legal bills.
A long line of Birkenstock, Chaco and Crocks sandals filled the hallway where local businesses like Café Mam, Get Fried Rice and The Divine Cupcake helped to earn proceeds for Holy Cow by selling their all-organic food and drink items.
"Holy Cow has been selling our coffee for over 10 years," said John Lerch of Café Mam, a local, 100 percent organic coffee and espresso business. "We're here supporting our long-time business partners."
By 7 p.m., more than 150 community members swarmed the large hall and wandered from the silent auction and food tables to the dual-level theater where local eclectic bands filled the air with diverse sounds.
The benefit hosted several popular Eugene bands including The Klezmonauts, The Conjugal Visitors, Medium Troy, Bindaas and 4Trees. By 9 p.m., a student-based, colorfully clad University community filled the dance floor, hopping and clapping to the unique sounds of banjos, glorified wash boards, guitars and harmonicas.
Lavine hopes to purchase Eugene property in the future to start a second restaurant for the community.
"We always want to improve on what we've done," said Lavine.
news@dailyemerald.com
The locally supported, organic-food restaurant arrived at the University in 1997. Owners Kathee Lavine and husband Anton Ferreira expected the 10-year lease renewal to be a no-brainer; however, the University thought differently. Lavine and Ferreira hired lawyers and started a legal protest to keep their cafe in the EMU.
On April 28, more than three months and approximately $15,000 later, Lavine said, she signed a five-year lease renewal, which includes the option of an additional five years after that.
"A lot of people thought Holy Cow was going to die," Lavine said. "Now we can think about the future ... now we have a future at the U of O."
The benefit, entitled "Cow Fest," started at 6 p.m. in Agate Hall. Although admission was free, the business accepted donations to help subsidize its recent legal bills.
A long line of Birkenstock, Chaco and Crocks sandals filled the hallway where local businesses like Café Mam, Get Fried Rice and The Divine Cupcake helped to earn proceeds for Holy Cow by selling their all-organic food and drink items.
"Holy Cow has been selling our coffee for over 10 years," said John Lerch of Café Mam, a local, 100 percent organic coffee and espresso business. "We're here supporting our long-time business partners."
By 7 p.m., more than 150 community members swarmed the large hall and wandered from the silent auction and food tables to the dual-level theater where local eclectic bands filled the air with diverse sounds.
The benefit hosted several popular Eugene bands including The Klezmonauts, The Conjugal Visitors, Medium Troy, Bindaas and 4Trees. By 9 p.m., a student-based, colorfully clad University community filled the dance floor, hopping and clapping to the unique sounds of banjos, glorified wash boards, guitars and harmonicas.
Lavine hopes to purchase Eugene property in the future to start a second restaurant for the community.
"We always want to improve on what we've done," said Lavine.
news@dailyemerald.com
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