TEHACHAPI, Calif. -- Mama Hillybean’s is an eclectic place with mismatched chairs and comfy couches to relax on while you sip your coffee or enjoy a good burger, and that’s exactly what Hillary Melville wanted when she opened it over two years ago.

“I wanted to have a community center where people could come together through art, music and healthy organic food, and it really has become that,” said Melville.

Open mic, live music, Mommy Café, and Honoring Our Elders are just a few of the events Mama Hillybean’s holds, but unfortunately those activities don’t pay the bills.

Melville said, "It really has fulfilled its mission of being a community center. The business end of things is more of a challenge because it does need to be financially sustainable.”

While the business is growing, it’s too little, too late for Melville and her family who are funding the café.

Manager Anthony McDemas said, “We’re having much busier lunches, much busier dinner specials and stuff like that, but we’re not quite there yet and we’re hoping with an investor and an infusion of capital we’ll get to that point where we’re sustainable.”

Melville said if they don’t find an investor by the end of the year, they will have to close their doors, but that’s a reality she hasn’t yet been able to accept.

“It’s my baby and I don’t want to see it close its doors," said Melville. "I can’t really bring myself to believe that that’s going to happen.”

For many, Mama Hillybean’s fills a nitch that was otherwise missing in Tehachapi.

McDemas believes if it closed, it would be devastating for the community.

“It wouldn’t leave a hole; it would leave a crater in Tehachapi because it’s become such an important community center for lots of like minded people to get together," said McDemas. "So, it would be devastating.”

Mama hillybean’s said they do have some interested investors, but nothing that’s final.

And McDemas and Melville agree saying, unfortunately, they are in their eleventh hour.

If you would like to support Mama Hillybean's or catch an upcoming live show, visit their Web site at www.MamaHillybeans.com.