It seems that not even the stalwart Bob’s Java Jive is safe from today’s struggling economy. Having gradually fallen into a state of disrepair due to a dwindling customer base and ongoing struggles with the general financial burdens of maintaining the place, some of Bob’s loyal customers fear that this 80-plus-year-old icon standing proudly on South Tacoma Way will one day pour its last cup if something is not done soon.

This is where Joy Bonney comes in, a regular Bob’s patron and CEO of As You Are Entertainment. Bonney has plans to raise money for the Jive via a benefit show April 2 featuring three of Tacoma’s hottest bands - Fun Police, Brotherhood of the Black Squirrel and Big Wheel Stunt Show - and State of Murdoch from Seattle. A minimum $3 donation will be requested at the door, which opens at 8 p.m.

“I’m a longtime fan of the Java Jive,” Bonney said. “They are a legend in Tacoma - a piece of Tacoma history. To me, it’s important to keep the history of Tacoma alive, plus they bring exposure to our town.”

According to Jive owner Danette (Dani) Staatz, daughter of owner Bob Radernich who passed away in 2001, there are numerous issues impacting the Jive. Staatz said the business is having a hard time bouncing back from her father’s death, as all of his money turned up missing from his bank account upon his passing.

“He got tangled up with a mess of thieves that took everything he had - his life savings…they cleaned it out,” she said, leaving no money to put toward the business.

“That was a disaster. Then the smoking ban hit us.” Staatz said that once anti-smoking laws went into effect in Washington, Bob’s regular base of customers who smoke started staying home. “We have to jump through hoops to get people in here,” she said. Business hours have been reduced to 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily. “It does not pay to open earlier,” Staatz said. “I’ve cut the day shift completely because no one stops by after work to drink. They buy a six-pack and go home where they can smoke.” Staatz said whereas she used to spend about $500 a week on kitchen supplies, she now spends about $500 a month.

Staatz said there has been an ongoing problem of vandalism inside the Jive. One of the things that upset her considerably is that some patrons have defaced the historical landmark by writing all over the interior walls, covering signatures of celebrities who have been there and marring her father’s black light paintings he did all by hand.

“It’s heartbreaking what they’ve done to my dad’s paintings. I’m just sick over it,” she said, adding that patrons also steal the black lights right from the lighting fixtures.

“They’ve even ripped up pieces of upholstery as souvenirs, so I’ve got to reupholster again.”

She said that just last week someone stole an expensive aluminum ladder off the roof of the Jive. “It’s just these constant expenses when I’m trying to keep (the place) up.”

Bonney is putting out a call for concerned Tacomans to come and help alleviate Bob’s maladies. “What would really be nice is if a contractor out there would help them re-do some of the flooring and reconstruct some of the interior of the place.” She said attending the April 2 benefit show is a great way for the community to help. “These are some of the best bands in Tacoma. They’re definitely worth going to see anywhere, and especially when you can support the Java Jive, help keep a legend around and see a great show on top of it.”

“We’re known for our music,” Staatz said. “(The Jive) has been the birthplace of many stars who started here,” including Kurt Cobain, Neko Case, The Ventures and The Wailers, to name just a few.

As Bonney described it, “Tacoma’s bizarre, beloved Bob’s has been a drive-in, a speakeasy, a go-go bar and finally the Polynesian-themed live music/karaoke bar in a coffee pot we know it as today.

“The Java Jive has been around my whole life. I would be disappointed if our community let this legend fade into history.”