Blossoming Lotus needs a miracle

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I think this is Hawaii:

 

By Coco Zickos - The Garden Island

Published: Sunday, December 28, 2008 1:08 AM HST

No longer will Señorita Bombia’s Enchilada Casserole, Kaya’s Cosmic Cornbread or Mighty Aphrodite’s Greek Salad tickle the taste buds of diners at Blossoming Lotus in Kapa‘a, as the award-winning vegan restaurant prepares to close its doors by the end of the month.With the restaurant still bustling with customers, it’s hard to believe that financial troubles are lurking, especially for a business that regards sustainability as important as nourishing food. However, locals and visitors alike are hoping for a miracle to occur before Dec. 31, knowing that they will otherwise have to search long and hard for equally tasty and healthy fare on Kaua‘i.While vegan food often leaves those who prefer meat slightly apprehensive, Blossoming Lotus has found a way to surprise even the most dedicated of meat-lovers.“If you like good food, it doesn’t matter what you usually eat; eliminate your stereotypes

and know that you’re going to eat something that tastes really great,†said Gabe Zingaro, manager and one of the owners of Blossoming Lotus. “Not only that, but it’s going to be really good for you, it supports the local economy, supports the local farmers, and is sustainable.â€Mark Reinfeld, chef and owner of Blossoming Lotus, as well as author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Eating Raw, agreed.“Vegan food is good for us in terms of the environment. The amount of resources it takes to support a plant-based diet is a fraction of what it takes for a meat-based diet,†he said. “Going green is the latest thing these days and one of the most environmentally friendly things you can do is start to make food choices that don’t take so many resources.â€According to the Environmental Protection Agency, livestock is taking a toll not only on our bodies, but on the environment as well. They recently claimed

that a majority of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are due to livestock emissions, and that the land used for raising livestock contributes greatly to the rapid decline in forests and wildlife.Zingaro said, “Beyond the environmental aspect of what we do, there are so many people with special dietary needs, whether they’re diabetic or hypoglycemic, that get to come in and eat the desserts from the case and know that it’s not only going to taste incredibly wonderful, but it’s going to fit into what their particular dietary needs are and not put them in a space of being ‘at risk.’ We help people in so many different ways and that’s just one example.â€The duo opened their initial cafe, Lotus Root, in July 2002, and things moved quickly from there.“The response was overwhelming as soon as we opened the doors,†Reinfeld said, “and when the restaurant location became available right across the street, we

simultaneously turned the original location into a juice bar and bakery, and opened the full service restaurant in October 2004.â€Due to a larger than expected overhead, the two locations recently merged into one, and the combination has since been booming with business.“We actually had a pretty fantastic November, all things considered, and we came very close to breaking even, but we were carrying debt from the transition and past debt from 2008 with the economy being sluggish, and in all honesty we made, as fledgling business owners, some mistakes in the process,†said Zingaro when discussing the recent turn of events.“There are a few different elements involved and business is cyclical based on tourism here. You can’t count on a constant revenue stream throughout the entire year and it’s feast or famine a lot of times.â€While many still might not pass up a rib-eye steak for Transcendental Thai

Green Curry, it is no doubt that the potential closing of Blossoming Lotus will not only affect its loyal customers, but will trigger an effect in the island’s economy, as local farmers brace for the loss of an important client and 26 employees will face unemployment.“We’re one of the main sources of revenue for many of the farmers here,†said Reinfeld. “We’ve been focusing on supporting the local economy and working very closely with the local farmers to get the menu more sustainable.â€â€œBeyond the food, we also support local musicians, and have live music every night and we support local artists by having rotating art displays,†added Zingaro. “If you strengthen the community, it enriches everybody’s lives.â€Kitchen manager Keli Ranke said Blossoming Lotus possibly drawing to an end is unfortunate. “If we do have to close, it will be such a shame. So much time, effort and energy has been placed in this

business. This is unfortunate and incredibly sad, and will affect the entire community in many ways.â€Reinfeld said, “We are humbling ourselves before the community and saying we want to continue, but we just need help and I’ve been keeping my mind in the positive that something will arise. People are even talking about getting a fundraising event together.â€â€œThere are a few different paths that this could eventually go down and we’re bracing ourselves for the worst,†said Zingaro.Zingaro also said he has been receiving countless phone calls and e-mails from people who are deeply saddened by the announcement, made last week, about the potential closing, and messages have been trickling in from around the world, some, even as far as Thailand and Amsterdam.“There’s a letting go we’re experiencing because of all the love, energy and effort that were placed in this and now is the time for us to lay the

offering out before the community for their help. If Blossoming Lotus is something that’s important for people to have on the island, we are open to receive the support we need to take it even beyond what we’ve created so far,†said Reinfeld.Zingaro added, “We also want to thank the community for their support over the years and we know that we really mean a lot to people in terms of the lifestyle and the way to eat and a place to hang out and gather and meet with friends. No matter what happens, the support we’ve received over the years, you can’t put a monetary value on that at all.

 

Peter vv