Given Tufts Foundation Statement Regarding the Roast Office Closure
This afternoon, the Given Tufts Foundation learned via Instagram that E&B Cafe has decided to close the Roast Office on Sunday, July 27th, ahead of their lease expiring at the end of next week.
The Roast Office’s statement to the effect that this is the fault of the Given Tufts Foundation is not accurate. We understand that the Roast Office is a special place for many, and its closure will be a loss to some, but to blame the closure on the Foundation is unfair and misleading.
The owners of the Roast Office were given many opportunities to extend their sublease. Last year, the Roast Office’s owners decided not to renew their sublease for 5 years. They chose a one-year sublease instead. This year, they failed to exercise their option to renew the one-year sublease.
The Given Tufts Foundation offered multiple opportunities to move forward, all of which were declined, and the Roast Office’s owners consistently ignored deadlines.
Instead, the owners of the Roast Office entered into an agreement to sell the coffee shop to an undisclosed third party despite the fact that a lease transfer would have violated their sublease.
With the current sublease coming to an end in only a few weeks time, the Foundation’s board of directors commenced a fair and competitive process to find a coffee shop operator in the Outpost Building. Over several weeks, we asked the owners of the Roast Office to participate in the process. The owners of the Roast Office refused to do so until the very last minute.
The Roast Office’s last-minute proposal was not as competitive as the proposals received from other credible Moore County vendors. For these reasons, including the Roast Office’s recalcitrance over the last several weeks, we will be selecting another high quality local vendor.
The Given Tufts Foundation would like to thank the Roast Office team for their years of work to help make the Outpost a gathering place for all of Pinehurst.
Now, as the Foundation embarks on a new partnership, we look forward to continuing our mission of supporting the Given Memorial Library and Tufts Archives.
-Given Tufts Foundation Board of Directors
25 July 2025
Given Tufts Foundation Statement Regarding E&B Café
The Given Tufts Foundation is a charitable organization providing financial support for the Library and Archives in Pinehurst. The Foundation operates the Given Tufts Bookshop in the Outpost Building which was formerly Pinehurst’s post office. Profits from the bookshop are used exclusively to support the Given Memorial Library and the Tufts Archives.
The Foundation’s board of directors would like to express its debt of gratitude to the bookshop’s founders, volunteers, donors of books, customers, and other friends. We believe that it is a fine representation of the gathering place this building has represented for so many people over the years. The board is also deeply grateful to its Executive Director who has worked tirelessly to make the bookshop such a success.
The Foundation subleases a portion of the Outpost Building to E&B Café which sells coffee and other refreshments through the Roast Office. Rent received from E&B Café, net of expenses, is used to support the Library and Archives.
E&B Café’s current sublease expires on July 31, 2025.
The Foundation is aware of a recent flurry of activity on social media and elsewhere in relation to the bookshop and coffee shop. We share the affection expressed for the bookshop and coffee shop; however, the board is disappointed by the personal attacks that have been directed towards our volunteers, staff, and community members.
Here is some background information regarding the sublease:
Last year, the Foundation exercised its option for a new 5-year lease with the building’s owner. E&B Café decided not to renew its sublease for 5 years. E&B Café chose a one-year sublease instead.
This year, E&B Café failed to exercise its option to renew the one-year sublease.
Although the option expired, the Foundation proactively engaged with E&B Café in May to explore a sublease renewal, including opportunities to expand our relationship and operations. We have not been able to agree on terms, including a standard CPI (Consumer Price Index) increase, which we pay to our landlord, as well. The relationship between the Foundation and E&B Café has since deteriorated in recent weeks.
The Foundation also understands that E&B Café entered into a preliminary purchase agreement to sell the Roast Office to an undisclosed third party. A lease transfer would have violated their sublease.
The Foundation has issued a Request for Proposal for operating the coffee shop in the future. There has been substantial interest in this opportunity from other local vendors. We welcome a proposal from E&B Café.
-The Given Tufts Foundation Board of Directors