Fran O'Brien's Moves Closer to the Edge

I've struggled all morning with something to say about the impending loss of Fran O'Brien's, but I keep coming up short. I have no new news at the moment, and can't put into words both the sorrow I feel and the reasons why.

Yes, people make the place. But it's so much more than that. As Lawrence Kelly said, "It all came together at Fran's." I'm the last person to ascribe things like a "spirit" to an inanimate object. But I felt for myself last Friday that Fran's has an amazing positive energy about it. Until Fran O'Brien's can get situated in a new location, the community that has developed around it will be running on only half-power, if at all.

Tonight may be the end of an era... and it shouldn't have to be.

Other posts:

The Story Goes International
Continue the Mission - Update and new contact info
Four More Days for Fran's - Why it matters
Another Insider Speaks - Details from a longtime volunteer
Meeting at Fran's - The get-together and "The Speech"
Buzz on the Warpath - Buzz Patterson's Report
A Quick Note - Some insider info on the Capital Hilton GM
What Now? - Continuing the fight to save Fran's
Why? - The PR fiasco that could've been avoided
Kelleher Answers Bloggers' Questions - Interview with the Capital Hilton GM
The Inner Circle Speaks - Financial supporters of the meal speak up
The Petition - An appeal to the Hilton Corporation
More on Fran O'Brien's vs. Hilton - The Scripps-Howard news story
The Corporate/Political Impact - The long-term view
The Italian Connection - The Italian embassy and Finmeccanica
The Fran's Story Hits the Bigtime - WaPo's story on the front page of the City Section
Hilton's Behaviour, in a Nutshell - The depth of Capital Hilton's PR incompetency
Hilton Replies - Capital Hilton's initial response
Fran O'Brien's Update - Background on Fran's, and the developing story
Save Fran O'Brien's - The beginning of it all

Other bloggers with extensive coverage: Mudville Gazette, Andi's World, Blackfive