Anecdote: A Creatives' Cafe!
Donation protected
This is a story about an underdog.
(If you already know the situation, please skip ahead. If you're ready to donate, click on the REWARD you'd like to pick, not just the "Donate Now" buttons or it won't be associated with a reward. Please also don't feel obligated to 'tip' -- that is for the platform itself if you'd like to help out GoFundMe. Thanks so much!!! )
***
BACKSTORY
An underdog cafe, actually, called Anecdote, designed to be a home-away-from-home where creatives of all kinds could go to work on projects, collaborate with others, learn new skills, find inspiration and encouragement, and commune over delicious food and drinks.
The leased spot needed a LOT of fixing up:
With only a shoestring start-up budget, where we lacked in start-up capital, we tried to make up for in DIY drive. The junk clearing and deep cleaning and problem solving and repairs and set-up and cosmetic updates that were initially estimated to take a month or two, however, ended up taking . . . eight and a half.
While we did get some MUCH appreciated help from friends, family, and three former (amazing) students when possible, one unexpected complication after another ate up time and money.
Anecdote opened in late October of last year with a fabulous, talented staff that got along unbelievably well and truly cared about the customers. It was forced to run at a loss, though, because the promised hood hook-up required for baking was, well -- MISSING. Not only was it more expensive to outsource, it was limiting and off-brand. Anecdote's identity was somewhat compromised, which resulted in some serious awkwardness. It went through a prolonged "soft-open" stage while trying to get things sorted but then --
-- the biggest blow was the news that THE BUILDING WAS BEING SOLD FOR DEMOLITION.
Anecdote struggled through its first few months, only to learn that it needed to move out six months after opening its doors to the public.
But we couldn't let that be the end of the story! We've found a new, gorgeous space in Cap Hill, and have started fixing it up -- we think you'll love it just as much as we do!
***
HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help us raise funds to offset the start-up capital we lost in the Bannock space so we can get back to what we started. Even a small contribution helps us move toward our goal, and helps Anecdote realize its true potential! Donations will be applied in any of the following ways as needed, and we will let you know how they end up being spent.
You can also help by sharing our story! www.gofundme.com/support-anecdote It's a totally free way to make a difference = )
Relocation needs:
- Equipment tied to the new spot
- Preparation, refinish, outfitting, rebranding, and advertising for new location
- Repairs to appliances and updated inspections
- Ongoing overhead costs while waiting for our licenses to go through for the new location
***
THE FUTURE OF ANECDOTE
The "first draft" phase has been rough, but we're not giving up on the original plan. We've learned a lot, met some fantastic people, and are super excited about the community that's already begun to grow out of our first spot. In the new space, we also look forward to adding an original content component to the business model. We will be adding a studio aspect to our space, where we can record and publish tutorials, artist features, behind-the-scenes peeks into our operations, and original works for entertainment. By supporting our relocation, you'll be supporting our mission to foster the creative community in the following ways:
- Gallery space and reception for featured artist(s) of the month
- Live music performances with "family meal" (or happy hour) before or after the show to hang out with the musicians
- Storytelling
- Poetry readings
- Guest speakers
- Write-ins/knit-ins/craft-ins
- DIY how-tos
- Classes taught by other artists
- Artist happy hours and mixers
- Public art initiatives
- "Shop Talk" discussions on various fields
- Workshops in painting, building, tool use, writing, sewing, pastry arts, entrepreneurship, mixology, etc.
- Networking and skillshare resources and events
- Film screenings & music video launch parties
- An Anecdote channel for publishing video content: people can connect, share, and learn around the world, and locals can participate in follow-ups or real-time follow-alongs in person at the cafe
In thanks for your support, we're excited to offer these rewards to our backers (on the right). Please indicate which Reward (by letter) you're choosing, as well as your T-shirt size and mailing address if that applies! We'll be updating this page as we go, so thanks for getting through the un-polished version in our rush to go live!
T-shirt design:
*We will aim to get rewards out as soon as we can set up screenprinting. Unfortunately, donations are not tax-deductible, but we appreciate you giving to our cause! Have an idea for a different reward? Pitch it to us = ) Black shirts will be printed with a matte (not glitter) metallic gold.
Please visit our website or social media sites for more information about us, or come visit!
www.anecdotecafe.com
Facebook and Instagram: @anecdotecafe
With gratitude and love,
Emily and the Anecdote Team
(If you already know the situation, please skip ahead. If you're ready to donate, click on the REWARD you'd like to pick, not just the "Donate Now" buttons or it won't be associated with a reward. Please also don't feel obligated to 'tip' -- that is for the platform itself if you'd like to help out GoFundMe. Thanks so much!!! )
***
BACKSTORY
An underdog cafe, actually, called Anecdote, designed to be a home-away-from-home where creatives of all kinds could go to work on projects, collaborate with others, learn new skills, find inspiration and encouragement, and commune over delicious food and drinks.
The leased spot needed a LOT of fixing up:
With only a shoestring start-up budget, where we lacked in start-up capital, we tried to make up for in DIY drive. The junk clearing and deep cleaning and problem solving and repairs and set-up and cosmetic updates that were initially estimated to take a month or two, however, ended up taking . . . eight and a half.
While we did get some MUCH appreciated help from friends, family, and three former (amazing) students when possible, one unexpected complication after another ate up time and money.
Anecdote opened in late October of last year with a fabulous, talented staff that got along unbelievably well and truly cared about the customers. It was forced to run at a loss, though, because the promised hood hook-up required for baking was, well -- MISSING. Not only was it more expensive to outsource, it was limiting and off-brand. Anecdote's identity was somewhat compromised, which resulted in some serious awkwardness. It went through a prolonged "soft-open" stage while trying to get things sorted but then --
-- the biggest blow was the news that THE BUILDING WAS BEING SOLD FOR DEMOLITION.
Anecdote struggled through its first few months, only to learn that it needed to move out six months after opening its doors to the public.
But we couldn't let that be the end of the story! We've found a new, gorgeous space in Cap Hill, and have started fixing it up -- we think you'll love it just as much as we do!
***
HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help us raise funds to offset the start-up capital we lost in the Bannock space so we can get back to what we started. Even a small contribution helps us move toward our goal, and helps Anecdote realize its true potential! Donations will be applied in any of the following ways as needed, and we will let you know how they end up being spent.
You can also help by sharing our story! www.gofundme.com/support-anecdote It's a totally free way to make a difference = )
Relocation needs:
- Equipment tied to the new spot
- Preparation, refinish, outfitting, rebranding, and advertising for new location
- Repairs to appliances and updated inspections
- Ongoing overhead costs while waiting for our licenses to go through for the new location
***
THE FUTURE OF ANECDOTE
The "first draft" phase has been rough, but we're not giving up on the original plan. We've learned a lot, met some fantastic people, and are super excited about the community that's already begun to grow out of our first spot. In the new space, we also look forward to adding an original content component to the business model. We will be adding a studio aspect to our space, where we can record and publish tutorials, artist features, behind-the-scenes peeks into our operations, and original works for entertainment. By supporting our relocation, you'll be supporting our mission to foster the creative community in the following ways:
- Gallery space and reception for featured artist(s) of the month
- Live music performances with "family meal" (or happy hour) before or after the show to hang out with the musicians
- Storytelling
- Poetry readings
- Guest speakers
- Write-ins/knit-ins/craft-ins
- DIY how-tos
- Classes taught by other artists
- Artist happy hours and mixers
- Public art initiatives
- "Shop Talk" discussions on various fields
- Workshops in painting, building, tool use, writing, sewing, pastry arts, entrepreneurship, mixology, etc.
- Networking and skillshare resources and events
- Film screenings & music video launch parties
- An Anecdote channel for publishing video content: people can connect, share, and learn around the world, and locals can participate in follow-ups or real-time follow-alongs in person at the cafe
In thanks for your support, we're excited to offer these rewards to our backers (on the right). Please indicate which Reward (by letter) you're choosing, as well as your T-shirt size and mailing address if that applies! We'll be updating this page as we go, so thanks for getting through the un-polished version in our rush to go live!
T-shirt design:
*We will aim to get rewards out as soon as we can set up screenprinting. Unfortunately, donations are not tax-deductible, but we appreciate you giving to our cause! Have an idea for a different reward? Pitch it to us = ) Black shirts will be printed with a matte (not glitter) metallic gold.
Please visit our website or social media sites for more information about us, or come visit!
www.anecdotecafe.com
Facebook and Instagram: @anecdotecafe
With gratitude and love,
Emily and the Anecdote Team
Organizer
Emily Han-Young Hurd
Organizer
Denver, CO
