Save an independent institution of Fribourg!
What’s happening at Café Populaire?
Six years of construction right outside our door. Noise, no visibility, and very limited access for our customers. 3,000 pedestrians per day no longer walk past our door.
We’ve seen our revenue drop by 40%.
Thanks to countless efforts, we managed to hold on. But it’s taking a long time – TOO LONG. With the repayment of a heavy Covid loan weighing on us, the inevitable is here: a significant loss in 2025.
Without help, we will go bankrupt.
We need CHF 50,000 to prevent a permanent closure.
Why support Café Populaire now?
This is not a request for a delay: we have incredible opportunities within our reach!
In 7 months, the new Cantonal and University Library will open. 900 workspaces, 200,000 freely accessible volumes, and a cultural program at the heart of the city and canton… with its main entrance just 15 meters from Café Populaire.
Rue St-Michel will finally be completed: newly paved, with street furniture, trees, and 11 extra square meters of terrace for Café Populaire.
Suddenly, this terrifying chaos will turn into a decisive advantage for us, for the neighborhood, and for the people of Fribourg.
So help us survive a few more months – it’s worth it!
Because the Popu is much more than a café, a restaurant, or a bar: it’s also an independent space for meeting, playing, celebrating, enjoying concerts – a hybrid and timeless place.
Our mission: to keep steering this big ship with passion, respect, humanity, and fairness – a place where everyone feels welcome.
Every year, we set sail with about fifteen employees. Together, we put all our energy and all our heart into this adventure. It cannot stop now!
What will your support be used for?
We won’t lie to you: if you help us today, it’s so we can continue welcoming you tomorrow.
The funds raised will be used to cover our 2025 losses and, consequently, provide the essential cash flow needed for our business to survive until the end of September 2026.
Running a big ship like ours costs between CHF 80,000 and 100,000 per month in total expenses. Thanks to your support, we will be able to cover our fixed costs (rent and other expenses) and continue guaranteeing a workplace for our employees during the last six months of construction.
Any surplus would allow us to make various investments to boost our activity (completion of the ongoing terrace expansion, new outdoor furniture, soundproofing the restaurant, purchasing a company vehicle, renewing professional equipment, etc.).
If the Popu also holds a place in your heart, help us and let’s continue together to keep this legendary place alive forever!
We THANK YOU so much in advance for your support!
