Bar Palmina - Permanent location!
Donation protected
Hi, I'm Nikki. My brainchild, Bar Palmina, is a zero-proof craft cocktail bar.
In the summer of 2022, I decided to chill with the drinking. Too little too late, I found myself in the ER from severe alcohol withdrawal and end stage liver failure, basically a dead woman barely walking. Many weeks in the ICU, one new liver, months of physical therapy, innumerable scars, endless doctor appointments, psychiatrists, therapy, self care, the support of loved ones, the resilience of one puppy to remain active, hundreds of bottles of topo chico and 365 sober days later, among many other things, I was still here, still learning, and building my life all over again.
The most important thing I've learned in my recovery is to create a life for yourself that doesn't require numbing or running away from. After a second shot at life, I decided to make a huge career shift and started walking away from my fifteen years of experience in the photography industry. As a baby sober, I still wanted a place to enjoy a cocktail that wasn't watered down, blasted with sugar, based off caffeine, or put together carelessly. I missed the craft of cocktails and I wanted an alternative to socializing that wasn't centered around consuming alcohol. I couldn't find this place, so I put all my time and effort into creating it.
For three months, Bar Palmina held a pop-up at the Matchbook in Kensington, Philadelphia. The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive; this place has been missing for a lot of us. With the momentum from our neighbors, some press, and a spike in popularity, plans to start finding a permanent home in the spring were forming.
With that support from the community also came finding holes and miscommunications in my paperwork and out of respect for the city of Philadelphia and our hosts at True Hand, Bar Palmina ceased operations at the Matchbook. A temporary setback, I'm not willing to let my momentum count for nothing. The plans for a permanent location would have to be pushed up to... well, now.
As I'm sure you've guessed, that requires funding. Starting up in October was funded by my own bootstrapping and a small public fundraiser, and it got me my introductory ticket on the wild ride of business ownership. We were able to incorporate, become food safety certified, purchase inventory, glassware, and a semi-permanent setup. I'm asking once again for support in the form of financial backing to take this huge next leap.
While Bar Palmina has built an incredible base to grow on, this round of funds will contribute to opening the doors at a permanent location: lease-signing in the neighborhood we've grown in, the proper (and expensive!) permits needed, and initial building costs.
If there is anyone interested in further funding for Bar Palmina, please feel free to reach out to me directly for more information including a business plan.
THANK YOU!! And cheers!
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PRESS + MEDIA:
Organizer
Nicole Graziano
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA