PORT TOWNSEND — With donations of more than $25,000 in the pot, the Boiler Room is looking forward to taking ownership of its new home on Water Street and making a go of it.
“We see the Day Star as a real viable place where we can make money,” said board member Steve Boruch.
“I keep thinking of ‘The Three Little Pigs’ — we have the brick house now and can keep the wolf from our door.”
The Boiler Room board, which runs a coffeehouse for teens, put $9,000 in earnest money down last week on the former Day Star Cafe, a 1,078 square-foot building in the 700 block of Water Street.
The sellers, Robert and Chom Pray, reduced the price to $475,000 and have agreed to carry the contract, according to Michelle Sandoval, a partner in Windermere Real Estate/Port Townsend.
Commission donated
At the Boiler Room’s annual meeting Monday, Sandoval, a Port Townsend City Council member, announced she is donating her $15,000 commission on the sale to the building fund with the proviso that the young volunteers work hard to make it work.
“It’s a huge commitment for me and my family,” Sandoval said.
“Don’t let us down.”
Another large donation came from former Boiler Room regular Jabez Richard.
Richard, 23, has given $10,000, which will be put towards the $50,000 down payment due Aug. 5.
Richard, who has moved back to Bellingham and started a record label, said in a phone interview that he hopes his donation inspires other people to think about how they can help the Boiler Room succeed in its new location.
“For me, it’s always been a really important part of being in Port Townsend,” Richard said.
“As I did have a little bit of money to put towards it, it’s my obligation to.”
