Bookmark Cafe Owner Asks Lafayette City Council for Rent Reduction

Mona Amanat is fighting to save her business, the Bookmark Cafe at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center.

On Monday, Amanat asked the Lafayette City Council to lower the lease amount on the small alcove she rents beside the library entrance.

The Bookmark Cafe, which opened in June, has drawn only half of the foot traffic anticipated in the proposal written by Amanat and her partner Soraya Radmanesh. With summer months bringing fewer students to the library, the cafe is struggling to maintain a customer base.

City Manager Steve Falk recommended that the council grant the lease reduction, but his recommendation came with a catch that made Amanat uncomfortable. Falk suggested that the language of the amendment allow the city to have an interest in the termination of the cafe.

The council members all expressed desire for the cafe to succeed, citing a positive committee evaluation of the business. Bookmark Cafe was among four proposals presented to the committee, and all proposals were rated using a ranking system of 15 criteria. The appraisal categories ranged in topic from quality of food to financial backing, with proposed rent being one of the criteria. 

The amended lease agreement would reduce Bookmark Cafe's rent from $1,365 per month to $455. Since Amanat was not comfortable with the added lease termination language, the council decided to continue the matter at the next city council meeting.

In the meantime, Amanat hopes that increased awareness of her business will encourage new customers to visit. Her food is literature-themed and healthy; a factor that Amanat hopes will appeal to Lafayette parents. Lamorinda Patch will visit the Bookmark Cafe this week to review its offerings, so keep an eye out for the piece if you're curious about visiting.