Change of Plans For Wicked Java Internet Cafe'

Ending of a Dream; Closing of a chapter for local entrepreneur





CATONSVILLE , Maryland — Friday, September 28, 2007 —Wicked Java, LLC today announced that the Wicked Java Internet Café, intended to open at 801 Frederick Road , Catonsville , Maryland , will no longer be opening.



The Wicked Java Internet Café was the vision and dream of Michael Dougherty, to give the school age members of Catonsville a place to call their own.



“Having grown up in this community, I realized quickly there is very little to do unless you’re twenty-one or have a fake ID,” said Michael Dougherty, of Wicked Java, LLC. “I have always heard complaints on how upset people were with the teenagers “running the streets” because they had no where to call their own and I wanted to give the untapped thirty-three percent [33%] of Catonsville’s population somewhere they can socialize with friends, the ability to access online gaming, and generally provide a large enough space for them to call their own with hours that fit their schedule. I also wanted to work towards bringing up a portion of the over twenty-four thousand [24,000] college students less than two miles away to Catonsville without providing another place to purchase alcohol, but rather enjoy Catonsville for what it is and that’s a family centered community.”



After an electrical fire destroyed the value of the home intended to be used as collateral for the business loan, Michael, along with his father-in-law Samuel Dougherty, invested close to $60,000 of their own money to cover the cost of rent, architectural designs, permits and other initial expenses. Several “interested” investors came and went causing delays for the project. Also due to the café being a start up company, several banks approved the business plan and attested to its potential for financial success, but were unable to offer a loan without collateral. The company was in its final stages, needing only to finance the construction and equipment costs, when a decision was made to end the project due to financial shortcomings.



“This was a heartbreaking and difficult decision to make,” said Michael Dougherty, of Wicked Java, LLC. “To close the door on this chapter meant that five years of research, planning and hopes in making this happen has come to an end. I want to thank everyone who emailed weekly for updates or stopped me on the street to let me know this is something the community wanted. I only wish that I could have been able to see this dream come to fruition.”



Michael will be working with the landlords, Paulo and Mariah Narboni, to find a suitable business to take over the location.



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Press Contacts:

Michael Dougherty

Wicked Java, LLC



[443] 602-4696



mcdougherty@wickedjava.com







NOTE TO EDITORS: Wicked Java, Wicked Java Internet Cafe, the “Flaming Mug” logo are trademarks and copyright of Wicked Java, LLC. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.