The Pink Teacup WILL LIVE ON!!!

(L-R: Vincent Pinkney, Robert Harmon, Jr., Lawrence Page, Lisa Ford, Ebonie Johnson Cooper, Ezinne Kwubiri)

Photo by Rachel Barrett

Welllll WE DID IT!!!!! Team Teacup helped to SAVE THE PINK TEACUP!!!

We had a wonderful event last night with turnout from loyal patrons that put tears in everyone’s eyes. Former owner Lisa Ford graciously introduced new owners Lawrence Page and Vincent Pinkney to everyone. The moment was a tear jerker. Then when Vincent invited all of the Pink Teacup staff to come on stage, we all had to pass a box of Kleenex. We even had faithful Teacupper Alyson Williams stop by to give her warm blessings and sing us a tune.

Between, the passed hors d'oeuvres of collard greens, mac & cheese and fried wings and the grooves spun by DJ Tara, we could not contain ourselves. It was such an old school, SOULFUL good time!

Just last night we raised over $2,000!!! We anticipate a few thousands more once we close donations via Paypal next week. We are so very grateful to Lawrence Page for stepping up to the plate to answer the call to action we placed almost a month ago. Our efforts and your support are proof that small businesses have a solid place in this economy and help to make NYC what it really is!

Thank you to all of our donors, supporters, family and friends for supporting us in our efforts. Please check out Rachel Barrett Photography from the Fundraiser Celebration! Click: The Pink Teacup.

Stay tuned for The New Pink Teacup website! You can still reach us at: savethepinkteacup@gmail.com

Thank you again!

~ Team Teacup~

***Look in our Press section for GREAT articles!-------->

The press release announcing the success:

SOUL HAS BEEN SAVED

JUST IN TIME FOR THE NEW YEAR!

THE PINK TEA CUP

LEGENDARY NEW YORK CITY SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT

Indie Film Maker and Restaurateur Lawrence Page, Saves a West Village Institution Again!

VISIT FACEBOOK FOR CAMPAIGN UPDATES:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/Save-The-Pink-Tea-Cup/203415786606?ref=mf

FUNDRAISER CELEBRATION:
The Actor's Playhouse Theater
3 January 2010
8pm

“When I heard about the impending closing of The Pink Teacup, I knew it was my destiny to step up and save it” says Lawrence Page.

New York City—The Pink Teacup will live on! For the past few weeks Team Teacup has been aggressively calling on loyal customers and New Yorkers alike to petition against threats of closure due to financial constraints and to save this legendary soul food haven. The cherished eatery's hope for a Christmas miracle to save its collard greens was answered by Actor's Playhouse theater proprietor, Lawrence Page.

Page will partner with current Pink Teacup manager, Vincent Pinkney to own and operate the restaurant. They have plans to keep the staff of 15 who were in jeopardy of losing their jobs if the restaurant closed. Page is best known for his purchase and restoration efforts of The Actors' Theater Playhouse earlier this year. Page's partnership with Vincent to save the The Pink Teacup is consistent with his pledge to revitalize the West Village through salvaging it's staple institutions. At this time it is being determined if the 55–year-old West Village establishment located at 42 Grove Street in New York City will be relocated or remain in its current location.

You're Invited!

Photo by Rachel Barrett

Save The Pink Teacup Fundraiser Celebration

This Sunday's the NIGHT!

Join us for a splendid evening of fundraising & celebrating as we dig deep to keep the doors of the legendary Pink Teacup open!

We'll have hors d'oeuvres, drinks & desserts to keep you happy and your checkbooks busy!

Music by DJ Tara

Suggested Entry Donation: $20
*SOUL Saving starts at 8pm*

Attire: Festive

Date:
Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

Location:
The Actors' Playhouse Theatre

Address:
100 7th Avenue South, New York, NY 10014 (map)

RSVP HERE: http://www.pingg.com/rsvp/3b46rqpx38xze3qc3

There's Still Time to Help!

Photo by Rachel Barrett

This. Is. It.

We are uber excited about our last week of campaigning to Save The Pink Teacup!

Over the holidays Susan Sarandon sent her financial support! Then Questlove of the Legendary Roots Crew stopped by PTC and Tweeted about his Soul Saving:
RT @questlove although i cut my soul food intake as of late, i still wanna save my favorite soul food spot in NYC. SAVE THE TEA CUP! www.savethepinkteacup.blogspot.com And then, just when we thought everyone was stuffed with Christmas turkey, Jermaine Dupri posted his Soul Saving message to his fans on Global14!

WOW! What. A. Holiday.

Santa even read our Wish List !!! So far we've gotten over a dozen volunteers, cases of wine and wonderful items for our silent auction. Community support has been overwhelming! Many thanks to Amber Saunders of A'Marie Weddings for coming on board to help us plan the final details for the January 3rd event! We are so excited to have her!

There's lots more we could use so PLEASE don't be shy. We would love to have you and/or your products on board! We can especially use the keepsakes(t-shirts & buttons), beverages, the decorations and in-kind donations. Email us at savethepinkteacup@gmail.com with your suggestions.

Please keep in mind, though we have gotten rave responses we still have a LONG way to go before Sunday! Please, please, please step up in any way you can. Saving PTC is within eye sight, let's not lose it!

Thank you in advance!

JANUARY 3rd DETAILS COMING VERY SOON! Keep your inbox open! :-D

~Team Teacup~

Dear Santa,

Photo by Rachel Barrett

We've been nice. We promise!

Folks have been asking what we need. So we decided to put together a modest list. We know Santa can't bring it all but isn't Christmas all about miracles?

Please help us make our wishes come true.If you or your business are able to deliver any of these items for our January 3rd fundraiser, please email us at: savethepinkteacup@gmail.com
by December 29th, 2009.

• 10- 12 cases of wine


• 25-30 volunteers for Jan. 3rd


• Silent Auction/ Raffle items. Ideas include but not limited to:

Product gift baskets, Gift certificates, Autographed items, Specialty items, classes, etc.

• 600-800 'I (heart) The Pink Teacup' mini buttons


• 500 'I (heart) The Pink Teacup' t-shirts
  
• 50 pink and black balloons


• 4-6 festive floral arrangements


• Financial DONATIONS!!!!

Snowed. In.

Photo by Rachel Barrett

NYC is under inches of snow but Team Teacup is still going strong!!!

We came off of a really strong week with PR! <---Thanks Workhouse! Buzz hit The New York Times, New York Mag and NBC New York! We also received loads of emails in our inbox from supporters wanting to help! Included in those emails was Melissa O'Donnell, owner of SALT. Melissa told us she's been a fan of PTC for years. PTC even catered Salt's 4th Anniversary Party! As a fellow restaurant owner, she refuses to see PTC leave. Needless to say she wants to do all she can to Save The Pink Teacup and is even going to rally a few restaurant owner friends too! YEAHHHH! We're excited to have her on board to share her talents and resources towards the crusade!

We now have just about 550 Facebook fans AND we are making a big splash with our Facebook $5 Save Your SOUL mini-campaign!!! Thanks again to all our donors so far! Now thru next Wednesday, we're urging all Facebook fans to drop $5 in our Paypal account to break the ice in our $100K fundraising goal. Even if you're not a Facebooker, please feel free to join our campaign with your $5 (or more) donation. :-D

FYI.....Planning for the January 3rd Celebration Fundraiser is coming along VERY well. 42 Grove Street won't know what hit it! :-D Details coming soon!

If you'd like to donate your time, talents or resources like Adam Nelson, Rachel Barrett and Melissa O'Donnell, please email us at: Savethepinkteacup@gmail.com

Stay tuned here and on our Facebook Fan Page for details! Thanks again to all of our supporters !

We Just Wanted You To Know...

The Save The Pink Teacup Petition~ Photographs by Rachel Barrett


1. Why is the Pink Teacup closing?
Answer: Simple. Finances. Small businesses are taking a beating from this rough economy and PTC is no different. With no other financial outlets, the owner thought the best option should be to close.

2. Why is Team Teacup trying to keep it open?
Answer: We’re trying to keep it open for the same reason you are- We LOVE it! We also believe in the longevity of the brand and its profound impact on the lives of everyone it’s fed over the years. There is another reason too! While meeting with Vincent Pinkney, veteran manager of PTC for nearly 25 years, he shared with us his desire to purchase the establishment and his need for support.

3. Why should I donate?
Answer: We have a shot at keeping its doors open past January 3rd!!! Without ample funds to sustain The Pink Teacup, the economy wins and we lose 55 years of great food, memorable fellowship, cozy meals, and the place we have all grown to love.


4. What would my financial contribution go towards?
Answer: Your financial contribution will go towards supporting efforts to purchase the restaurant, overall short-term investment, restaurant renovations and a long term investment to have The Pink Teacup around for 55 more years!

5. What can I do?
Answer: You can show your support to keep PTC open by making a financial contribution. We like the kind that jingles but rather have the kind that folds. :-) You can also contribute your professional resources to assist in our community outreach, celebrity leverage or search for an investor.

We're Saving Our Soul, Are You???

Photographs by Rachel Barrett

SAVE YOUR SOUL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!
CHRISTMAS MIRACLE AIMS TO RESCUE
THE PINK TEA CUP- LEGENDARY NEW YORK CITY SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT

The Pink Teacup Is Calling On All New Yorkers This Holiday Season
To Save The Legendary Soul Food Restaurant!

VISIT FACEBOOK FOR CAMPAIGN UPDATES:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/Save-The-Pink-Tea-Cup/203415786606?ref=mf

TARGET GOAL:
Raise $100,000 by 3 January 2010
“It's been apart of my life since I can remember. To see it have to leave due to financial constraints is heartbreaking. We are asking our community to crusade together this holiday season and save this favorite soul food restaurant” says Ebonie Johnson Cooper, “


New York City—Save your soul this holiday season! The Pink Tea Cup is calling on loyal customers and New Yorkers alike to petition against threats of closure due to financial constraints and to save this legendary soul food haven. The cherished eatery hopes for a Christmas miracle to save its collard greens this year by asking patrons and fans alike to put their money where their mouths are and donate to a great local cause this year.

Known for serving mammoth portions and a heaping dose of down-home flavor, the historic Pink Tea Cup has long been a spot for the locals, tourists, and celebs like Liz Smith, Star Jones, Whoopi Goldberg, and the occasional CEO. The 55–year-old West Village establishment located at 42 Grove Street in New York City is attempting to prevent the cornbread from crumbling this year by teaming up with three adoring patrons who call themselves Team Teacup in hopes of raising $100,000 to keep this New York staple alive from now until 3 January 2010.

For more information on making a donation please email savethepinkteacup@gmail.com Interested media in covering this effort please contact Workhouse Publicity, CEO, Adam Nelson via email nelson@workhousepr.com or directly by telephone 212. 645. 8006.

SAVE THE PINK TEA CUP
The Team is also planning on hosting a Save the Pink Teacup Fundraiser Celebration event at The Pink Tea Cup on 3 January 2010 which will be free and open to the public in hopes of finding investors and donors, as well as encouraging celebrity leverage and high profile individuals to lend their support. The Pink Teacup has set itself a target goal of earning $100,000 by 3 January 2010 to keep the New York City landmark alive.

To make a donation, visit the Save The Pink Teacup Paypal page: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=10465520

Please show your support of this historical place by becoming a fan on Facebook: Save The Pink Tea Cup: http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-York-NY/Save-The-Pink-Tea-Cup/203415786606?ref=sgm

TEAM TEACUP
A team of New Yorkers have come together to help collect donations and raise public support for The Pink Tea Cup. Consisting of Ebonie Johnson Cooper, Ezinne Kwubiri and Robert Harmon, Jr. these avid patrons are encouraging the local community to support this small family business by making donations at any and all levels. For more information please email savethepinkteacup@gmail.com

Loyal customers are showing their support and love to the “Save The Pink Teacup” Facebook Fan page, consisting of 300 fans thus far, some of whom have also been blogging on www.savethepinkteacup.blogspot.com . Patrons have also been buzzing on NBCnewyork.com, Okayplayer.com, BrooklynBlog and Chowhound, just to name a few, about their extreme disappointment of the potential closure. Pink Tea Cup fans are hoping their grassroots and viral support will help spread the word about the effort to save this beloved the eatery.

THE PINK TEA CUP
Tucked into a cozy West Village storefront, the Pink Tea Cup is every bit as inviting as its name suggests, with crowded rows of petite wooden tables, faux-Tiffany hanging fixtures, and, soft rose-colored walls. Founded by Floridian Mary Raye in 1954, the restaurant’s tradition of home-style southern cooking is carried on today by Raye’s niece and grand-niece, and the convivial ambience and menu reflect the restaurant’s devotion to homespun family fare. Like any good mom, the Pink Tea Cup offers an overwhelming spread: "Dinner" means soup, salad, entrée, bread, two vegetables, and dessert, served fast, hot, and in heaping portions. Pork chops and the barely breaded fried chicken are local favorites; sweet and spicy barbecued ribs and a side of salty collard greens are standouts.


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