Kickstarter

THE PROJECT:

As a small independent business, The Barn Light can only allocate so much money for interior design, but kickstarter.com presents a unique way to raise funds to help accomplish our goals in this area. It cannot be stressed enough how much the design--from interiors to branding--truly makes a difference in establishing a business identity. The funds raised through kickstarter.com will allow us to use the reserves of our budget on product, equipment, and other items necessary to carrying out business, while your contributions will go directly toward the interior design of The Barn Light.

THE VISION:

Dustin Kinsey and Thomas Pettus-Czar have been talking about opening a bar and coffeeshop ever since they began working together at The Bourgeois Pig, a much loved bar in Lawrence, Kansas. It was at “The Pig” where Thomas, who worked as a barista and bartender, and Dustin, who bartended and managed for nearly a decade, began to appreciate the nuances of the bar and coffee businesses. It became apparent to them that where they worked was much more than just a place to get a coffee or grab a beer: it was a community. It was the kind of place where folks could come to relax, enjoy the company of friends, learn from one another, and share stories. This is the kind of place that Thomas and Dustin will be opening in downtown Eugene, Oregon—a bar and coffeeshop of their very own called THE BARN LIGHT.  

Thomas and Dustin realize that just as important as the quality of the product you’re selling, is the environment in which you are selling it. The space itself impacts the way people feel and interact with one another. At The Barn Light, they intend to provide the community with a place that is well designed, comfortable, artistic, and thought provoking. It is through the design of the space, quality of product, and the sheer dedication and passion of Thomas and Dustin that The Barn Light will help bring vitality and community back to Eugene’s downtown. In addition to the monies that the City of Eugene has provided, who matched The Barn Light’s initial funds through their Downtown Revitilization Loan Program, funds generated via kickstarter.com will be used to help create a space, with these principles in mind, so that The Barn Light can provide the absolutely best experience for their patrons. 

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BARN LIGHT:

As a bar, The Barn Light aims to be a downtown staple and destination for young professionals, graduate students, professors, and businessmen and women who appreciate good coffee, beer, and wine. This establishment is a more sophisticated and comfortable alternative to the casual sports bars and undergraduate bars that are ubiquitous in Eugene, OR.

As a coffee shop, The Barn Light will strive to be the best specialty coffee business in town, where one can get an excellent cup of coffee anytime, day or night. The location of the business will prove convenient for downtown business employees, as well as the influx of downtown residents that will come with the Lane County Community College (LCC) and Capstone developments. It is apparent that there is a very high demand for a place where one can hunker down—as a place to work, relax, and meet others—over a cup of coffee, or a pint of beer.

Simply, the goal and driving philosophy is to make available the elements of craft coffee, beer, and wine without offending either the sensibilities or pocketbooks of the customer base, all the while providing a true café experience where meaningful social interaction and good conversation thrives.

OUR MISSION:

The Barn Light is a place where one can work or escape from work, where one can be left with one’s own thoughts or share those thoughts with friends—it is the perfect place to start your day, spend your day, and raise a toast to the end of the day.

DESIGN, DESIGN, DESIGN:

You can’t put a price on good design! And, the design of The Barn Light has been a driving force behind the vision of the business. It’s very important to Dustin and Thomas that they get it just right. One of the ways that they’ve been able to achieve this goal thus far is by involving their talented friends in the project whenever possible. They find that when working with friends, less explicit direction is needed, and the creative juices start flowing with ease, LIKE BEER OUT OF TAPS!

This has certainly been the case thus far, as Jeffrey Isom from PRE SENSE FORM in Kansas City did a killer job creating the logo and identity elements:

Leah Fuller and Charlie Deese, who both received their Master of Architecture from the UNIVERSITY OF OREGON this year, did the interior design of the space (and are excited to see one of their designs actually being built!):

Local Eugene non-profit BRING has been an important source of inspiration, materials, and found objects that have already had a great impact on the character of the space, as The Barn Light will strive to promote and practice sustainable design:

Tina Stamos, a chef and food stylist, who has done recipes and styling for publications such as READYMADE MAGAZINE, will be creating the menu:

Kylie Grater of EARLY JEWELRY has been a design consultant throughout our project, including helping put together the sweet merchandise you see at the bottom of the page.

And, finally, now that they’ve signed the lease:

Dustin and Thomas are ready to BUILD! And, it is precisely for this phase of the project that your contributions from Kickstarter are MUCH needed! We have put together a great design/build team whose creativity and experience will help put the finishing touches on a living, thriving space for customers that is as much an installation or work of art as it is a place to operate business.

Jeff Desler, from PASQUARELLI Construction, who has worked as general contractor for local favorites such as Davis, Red Agave, Cowfish, Morning Glory, and Hot Mama’s.  Here is his crew working on The Barn Light:

John Anderson, from THE UTILITARIAN WORKSHOP, who recently finished an interior design and finishing details for a restaurant in Kansas City, Port Fonda:

And, Malcolm Rubin, from ROGUE ELECTRIC, who has been creating lighting elements from the found objects we’ve been collecting:

The Barn Light aims to be more than a business: in fact, this whole time, it has been about using a community to create a space for a community! The combined efforts of all those who have contributed to this project are making the Barn Light a reality.  This is our community.  We invite you to become a member of this community via your Kickstarter contribution.  See you at The Barn Light!

SOCIAL MEDIA:

• Follow us on facebook to view construction updates, job postings, and opening announcements:    www.facebook.com/thebarnlight 
• Twitter:  @thebarnlight
• Instagram:  thebarnlight