Chicago Sun-Times wrote:50 people who make Chicago a better place Pt.1MIKE CAIN | Owner of popular bar gives back to community -- big time
The Chicago heart is more than skin deep.
Until a month or so ago, you had to have tattoos and piercings to work at Kuma's Corner, 2900 W. Belmont. The 50-seat restaurant and bar has become so popular for its monster hamburgers that owner Mike Cain is relaxing his code.
A bar-size chalkboard hangs along the west wall. Cain and managing partner Alex Posso post the recipient of a Friday night special on the board. After 6 p.m. on the last Friday of every month, the bar staff donate all of their tips and salary to a community charity. Cain doubles that amount.
Donations have gone to the Chicago Abused Women Coalition, the Paul Green School of Rock and a fund to pay medical expenses for injured Roller Derby star Tequila Mockingbird. Earlier this year, Kuma's Corner raised $8,700 to help pay bills for Mat Arluck, guitarist of the hardcore band Sweet Cobra, who is going through his second battle with cancer.
"We were starting to do well here," said Cain, a Melrose Park native. "And you know what? As long as we're doing well, we might as well give back to the community. It's important. It's karma. If you do something good for someone else it comes back to help you."
In Japanese, "kuma" means "bear." Kuma's has a bear of a heart.
