Don’t be sad, the Willow House has closed its doors… but not for good! The new location is 1722 W. Van Buren, so it’s at 17th Ave and Van Buren. The discussions with extending their current lease went in a different direction than local Willow House fans would have wanted. But us seasoned Phoenicians know growth is what we do best so adapting to change is a chocolate vegan cake walk for us. The Willow culture, coffee, and hummus will continue near the capitol building. The classes and meeting will continue also in the new building. Years ago when Willow first opened, who could have foreseen that Downtown staples such as a dive bar extraordinaire - Emerald Lounge, urban western wear - The Boot Barn and Nasser’s own Long Wongs would fade into oblivion only to be reborn as hipster combo PF Chang/Starbucks, gracing the corner of 7th Ave and McDowell. The corner is still alive but now has a more polished feel with lots of extra parking for all of us flocking there now. I am excited to see the new version of the Willow house and looking forward to see what will now occupy the old Willow house on the corner of 5th Ave and McDowell.