We have been asked by Silvi to pass on some sad news about Café Cibo.
As we reported a few days ago, the café has had to close due to logistical and financial challenges. We had hoped that this would be a temporary situation. However, following Dom's stroke in May, Silvi has found it impossible to maintain the café as a serious going concern – even with the very kind help of her staff and various volunteers.
Once again, she has asked us to express her sincere thanks to all those who have made personal donations to help during this desperately challenging time. Silvi has used these monetary gifts solely to help meet immediate day-to-day living expenses and ongoing business costs over the last two months. However, these costs cannot be turned off even though the Café is not able to function properly. She has had no option but to close the business.
It is clear that Silvi feels very distressed about the situation and is particularly burdened with a sense of "having let the community down". In response, close friends have tried to reassure her that the generous support shown to the couple in recent weeks was out of a sense of love and affection for them, rather than to secure the café's survival.
Your thoughts and prayers for Dom's continuing recovery are appreciated.