The Heartland Cafe has been serving the Rogers Park community for almost thirty-five years; last week Rogers Park returned the favor. Known as much for being a center for independent art and progressive politics as for its macrobiotic cuisine and buffalo burgers, the Heartland found itself needing to raise almost $50,000 in two weeks to cover state taxes and license renewals to keep its doors open. A victim of the downturned economy and crippling bank fees (Heartland owner Katy Hogan estimates losing $118,000 in charges the past eighteen months), they were left with no choice but “to go hat in hand,” Hogan says, and ask their neighbors for help. The response, Hogan says, was “overwhelming.” For two nights the artists, musicians and performers that make up so much of the restaurant’s clientele (and staff) held a fund-raiser to keep the neighborhood institution’s doors open. Local patrons donated artwork, massages, guitar lessons and yoga classes as prizes to sell raffle tickets. They raised enough to renew their license, with one day to spare. “The way the community has rallied to support us is something else,” says Hogan. “People from all over the city, the suburbs, people who love the Heartland but maybe moved out of the area, they came back, they said, ‘No, no. This place can’t leave.’ It’s been an incredibly heartwarming and humbling experience.” (Jonas Simon)
Dining and food culture in Chicago
