And now for something completely different. The thing you've been wishing for. A worker-owned organic grocery store in Harlem.
Thank you again everyone for making this real!!
Please note the new video in UPDATE #8, documenting the next step in this process: involving a worker.
We would like to continue collecting pledges. If we could we make it to $27,500 that would cover the costs of:
1. A 16-week cooperative development course. Knowledge building, team-building, and equalizing— that's what this crash course could do.
2. Removal of the exterior signage from the store's site.
3. The hiring of an architect to precisely measure out the space, draw plans, and detail the layout of the store.
4. The hiring of an accountant to do payroll and quarterly taxes.
The full fundraising effort (see the business plan) requires more than a quarter of a million dollars, so... we're not turning down supporters yet!!
Thank you all for all the thought, hard work, scheming, strategizing, spamming, sharing, and sending that you all did; it worked! NOBODY DID THIS BUT US.
XOSWEETWORKPROJECT
FAQ
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The "Event" listed on Facebook is this fundraiser itself. There will be a party, but we'll have to figure out when that will happen later, because it will be in the space. If you click "I'm attending" for that event on Facebook we'll just assume you mean you love us!
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It's true that our financials reflect a zero balance at the end of 90 days and no pumpkins; here's what we think will happen: A) we believe we will be able to negotiate lower rent on the space; B) we believe sales will be higher than what we've projected; C) we have a friend who will use personal money to get the pumpkin patch going if we do not raise enough money to do it on our own.
As far as continuing operations, we hope to never even pause our operation, but we will eventually have to in order to renovate the space, install equipment, etc. Funding for this will come separately from this Kickstarter campaign. We are applying for grants from many agencies, foundations, and programs. We are also searching for investors to lend us startup funds. If you look at the long-term business plan, you'll see that we need over a quarter of a million dollars to do this right.
The purpose of doing this Pop-Up Co-Op project is to push this idea over the edge into reality. If we make sales, we will be a corporation that is making sales; this puts a company into a whole other category with regard to financing, especially lending.
At worst, we will end up with tenancy of the retail space but will have to pause to complete more funding and put our first worker on unemployment. At best, this push will give us the momentum to phase straight into renovations, hire the other three workers, and have a grand opening of the official store. We of course are hoping for the latter path! -
Yes they did. It can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/beastieboysThanks Beastie Boys!!
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If we do not raise the whole amount we don't get any of it.
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All that will happen is that your credit card will not be charged, so you won't have to do anything.
But let's stop talking about what will happen if we fail. We must succeed! -
We cannot renovate the space before we do the pop-up co-op phase, so (unfortunately) there will have to be a break while we build out. Maybe don't think of it as a closing party, but as a pause. A pausing party!
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Invitation to the opening party and free coffee on your first visit.
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For a pledge of $25 or more, Catherine Gund and Aubin Pictures offer the BOOK COMPANION to Gund's perception-shattering film, WHAT'S ON YOUR PLATE? In case you don't know: Seven kids and their families explore the food chain. With honesty, humor, and creativity, they face serious issues, including lack of access to fresh food, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and food allergies. They celebrate time together by cooking and gathering at the table. The stories, recipes, and terrific activities in this book will inspire readers of all ages to be conscious of what they're eating and where it comes from. WHAT'S ON YOUR PLATE? started out as a documentary film from the point of view of two curious 11-year-old girls, Sadie and Safiyah. The film was broadcast on The Discovery Channel's Planet Green and has been screened hundreds of times around the world, from Washington to Wisconsin, Glasgow to Seoul. As Sadie and Safiyah say, "We're talking about our neighborhood. What about yours?" WOW! This is our kind of story. Pledge now and receive a copy of this book for a limited time!
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Invitation to the opening party and free coffee for one month (whichever month you’d like).
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For supporters at the $100 level or above, ISA CHANDRA MOSKOWITZ is offering signed copies of her contemporary classic, VEGAN WITH A VENGEANCE— the book that started a new era in vegan cooking, no exaggeration. Support our radical worker-owned organic grocery store with $100 or more and receive this book as a gift. Limited time. Thanks to Isa Chandra!! You will also receive an invitation to the opening party and free coffee for one month (whichever month you’d like).
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Back in 2004, the band HOT CHIP did a remix of the song "TKO" by the band LE TIGRE. The song was pressed on 7" vinyl in a very very very limited run; the next two supporters at the $250 level or above can choose this prize in addition to the other rewards offered in that category!!
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Invitation to the opening party and platinum coffee card (unlimited).
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Johanna Fateman: entrepreneur, musician, writer, and artist. Beloved by all who know her, and even by some who don't. We were able to convince her to go for the heart, and she has agreed to our suggestion: PET PORTRAITS. Your pet is a person you love in a special way, and Johanna is capable of evoking that love in a gorgeous watercolor portrait. Because this work is time consuming, and because Johanna, an artist with a reputation to precede her, has offered to produce these one-of-a-kind portraits for a radical, innovative, and necessary project that needs as much support as possible, this prize is being offered at the $500 pledge level. One watercolor portrait, on 8.5" x 11" heavyweight paper, will be painted from photographs provided by each project backer who selects this prize. DELIVERED BY CHRISTMAS.
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For supporters at the $500 level or above, ISA CHANDRA MOSKOWITZ is offering signed copies of the ENTIRE COLLECTION of her cookbooks— six books in all! You'll receive: VEGAN WITH A VENGEANCE, VEGAN CUPCAKES TAKE OVER THE WORLD, VEGANOMICON, VEGAN BRUNCH, VEGAN COOKIES INVADE YOUR COOKIE JAR, and APPETITE FOR REDUCTION. Support our radical worker-owned organic grocery store with $500 or more and receive ALL SIX books as a gift. Limited time. Thanks to Isa Chandra!! You will also receive an ionvitation to the opening party, platinum coffee card, and an invitation to the CLOSING PARTY.
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Invitation to the opening party, platinum coffee card, and an invitation to the CLOSING PARTY.
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Invitation to the opening party, platinum coffee card, invitation to the closing party, and six dozen vegan cookies.
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Invitation to the opening party, platinum coffee card, invitation to the closing party, 12 dozen vegan cookies, and an invitation to an exclusive, deluxe vegan dinner party at the apartment of a certain patron of this project and successful entrepreneur.
Funding period
- (30 days)
