1309 the Community House, Pleasure Boutique

What the world needs now is sweetness, compassion, joy, creativity, the warmth from a smile and fantastic food that inspires both happiness and pleasure. I ask you to help me bring some of that to Evanston.

I’m a native Evanstonian – raised in the Fifth Ward – but I carry the Creole spirit of my mother, from Lafayette, Louisiana and my Jamaican born Father. The complexities of the Creole culture are reflected in my creations – subtle blends of ingredients from all over the world.  The same subtlety infuses my pastries. I named my company Noir d’Ebene Chocolat et Patisserie in honor of my heritage.  Noir d’Ebene  means black of ebony.

Sweetness and delicious food brings smiles and a dance of sorts. I’ve seen it countless times. It happens when both friends like you and total strangers savor my wares.  I cook, bake, make chocolate from scratch, confections, design, photograph, do my own page layouts, market and manage my social media platforms.  Through world travels and business technical classes and counsel, I have worked in every aspect of my business.
 
The coin is powerful. Someone has and someone needs, wants and even desires it with the belief life will be better. Today, I am that someone in need. I don’t have many dreams and I haven’t for as long as I can remember. I have had one dream for 25 years. My dream? Opening a Pastry Chocolate Sandwich Food Boutique. Why a Boutique? Well, it expresses class, sophistication, style, creativity and exceptional wares which equals an uncommon experience. A Boutique is special and a cookie isn’t just a cookie; it’s magic, pleasure. And aren’t we deserving?
 
 Now the coin. I’ve never had it. I’ve seen it. Experienced its powers, tasted a small corner of its possibility, but it’s never been mine. I’ve always been a talented girl, now a woman, full of possibility.

This boutique will house my handcrafted bean to bar chocolates, confections, pastries, salad, sandwiches, beverages and more. Family recipes passed down, tradition kept alive.  A small section of  the boutique will showcase works by local pastry chefs, artist, giving them a home to sell their items as I once needed. Through pictures framed on the wall you’ll see the story of how chocolate is made and hold a hand carved Argentinian wood cacao pod.

Most small business are underfunded when they start and the COVID-19 pandemic has now made everyone aware of this fact.  Operating a business in a time of prosperity involves a lot of risk and opening a storefront at a time of a global pandemic involves even greater risk.  The money from the GoFundMe will be used to help with the additional uncertainties and risk that running a business during a global pandemic brings about.  It will also cover the cost of the first year’s expenses of supplies, equipment, licenses, insurance, ingredients, packaging and most importantly, staff.  
 
Food is my ministry. It’s what I know. It’s what I’m good at. It’s how I freshly serve my community. Food is how I bring us together. With your assistance in contributing toward my goal we will be running a successful 542 square foot, minority, third generation, woman owned Noir d’Ebene boutique in Evanston Illinois.

I hope you Join me and see yourself in my success, our success.

Your financial help will assist in making this dream come true. My hope is that you see yourself as a valuable Team member contributing. A donation of any size will help and I am honored to have your support.

The doors have open and I welcome you, inside, the community house, pleasure boutique, that which is Noir d’Ebene.  Cheers.