Dear Albert Wang and BEARcade patrons,

I am Trevor Morris, general manager for Gelateria Naia
and the Naia Lounge.  I would like to discuss some
concerns I have.  I hope I have contacted the right
person and that you can pass along this information.  

When we were first approached by the ASUC I found it
surprising that they wanted to make such a drastic
change of use to the space.  I also saw the potential
for the business I run and decided to pursue the
opportunity.  I was told that the decision to close
the BEARcade had already been made and that time was
of the essence.  We were just one of several
businesses approached by the ASUC to fill the space. 
In the end I believe the ASUC decided to go with our
business because of our popularity, our plan for the
space, and our ability to get the build-out done
quickly and efficiently.  

About the time we were chosen to occupy the space we
began to hear about how unhappy BEARcade patrons were.
 I understood that they were not just unhappy that the
BEARcade was closing but that they felt it was an
important institution on campus.  I assumed
representatives from the BEARcade would want to speak
with me to discuss our plans and any possible options
they had.  However, no one ever approached me or tried
to contact me.  Even during the dozens of visits I
made to the space before the BEARcade closed no one
made contact with me or our business and that remains
true to this day. 

My concern now is about how Gelateria Naia is being
portrayed by supporters of the BEARcade.  People have
been posting fliers both outside and inside our space
asking patrons to not eat here.  These fliers
encourage people to support, "diversity and democracy"
over our gelato.  We have also seen fliers asking
people to ban Gelateria Naia in order to show the ASUC
that their decision was a mistake.  

As a business person I take this seriously.  I respect
your opinion and I even feel that BEARcade supporters
have a very valid argument with the decision the ASUC
made.  But that decision was not mine.  Encouraging a
ban against our business will only result in damaging
a local, independent business that employs 15 people
on campus, most of which are students of the
University.  I simply ask that you take your fight to
the appropriate people.  

Lastly, in looking for a person to contact over the
Internet I came across postings that suggested people
set fire to our store and scare our employees among
other things.  I understand that these comments were
made in jest but I hope you understand that threats
against my business and the people that work here are
distressing.  
 
I would be happy to discuss the situation with you or
anyone else.   You can reach me by email at
trevor@gelaterianaia.com

Very sincerely,
Trevor Morris
General Manager
Gelateria Naia