By Andy Furman
NKyTribune staff writer
You may have to wait for that second cup of coffee at popular gathering spot, Reality Tuesday Café – 1518 Dixie Highway, Park Hills.
They closed their doors after 25 years in the community this week.
“I was told by my landlord back on April 9th that I would have have until the end of the month to pay my back rent,” owner Traci Gregg told the Northern Kentucky Tribune.
She said the café owed more than $13,000 in back rent – and now an eviction sign is posted on the front door.
“We went behind on our rent during COVID,” Gregg continued, “and we couldn’t get caught up. Our landlord wouldn’t give us permission for a drive thru.”
Gregg cites Dunkin Donuts and 7 Brew – both with drive throughs — and says coffee shops need them to survive.
“I had an idea, that when a landlord doesn’t work with you,” she said, “you die.”
The slow death was a result of a $3,412 monthly rent payment to go along with a $270 dumpster cost and utilities which range from $888 to $1500 a month in gas and electric, according to Gregg.
“Our windows are uncovered, and not sealed,” she says “and we have a leaky ceiling and a roof that leaks as well.”
And when a customer leaves water running after closing, she says she has to clean-up raw sewage the next morning at 6 a.m.
“The building,” she adds, “will not pass inspection by both the Fire and Building Departments.”
A Go Fund Me page was started by Gregg and to date $6,700 has been raised.
“I know the community loves me,” she said, “but we have to figure out who gets paid first – the landlord or do I eat.”
Gregg says she has three full-time employees outside her family and seven family members working which brings the count to 10 full-timers.
“I saw the erosion in business when Dunkin Donuts opened about two years ago,” she said, “it was devastating.”
But all is not lost – she says she would consider another Reality Tuesday, “but not at this location.”
She said she’d need a drive-thru and, “I’m certainly not giving up on the community’s needs. If I can make it cost effective; maybe a smaller venue, and half the rent, I’d consider.”
Traci Gregg is a battler. The Louisville native moved to Northern Kentucky in 1988.
“I came here,” she said, “to attend Cincinnati Christian University in Price Hill.”
As a member of First Church in Burlington, she remembered the ministry program.
“It was Reality Ministry,” she said. “We had our bible study on Tuesday, so when we opened shop, we called it Reality Tuesday.”
She remembers that first day – December 6th – 25 years ago.
“Our first customer was a gentleman named Gus – I don’t have his last name with me now,” she said.
That day was St. Nicholas Day, 2000.
Perhaps her next shop will open on the 4th of July – this time with fireworks.