Help Lollipop Shoppe Thrive: Support Independent Music

This is a tough one, but it would be worse if we didn't do this. Lollipop Shoppe needs yr support + it's urgent. Lollipop Shoppe opened in 2022 + is a live music venue + dance club + community space in SE Portland, Oregon. We've hosted thousands of artists, DJs + music lovers over these past three years, all while navigating the increased costs of small business ownership, a post-pandemic music industry + some big learning curves that come along with new business ownership.

The roots of Lollipop Shoppe began nearly 10 years ago as a series of house shows. As those grew more popular, we began renting warehouses + started an annual music festival / promotions company called Lose Yr Mind. We bootstrapped our way here using our food service tips + community support. In 2021 we reached the point of being able to purchase our own venue space (previously called Dig A Pony). After a decade of hard work, our dream came true.

We've hosted a wide away of artists over the years + frequently lend our space to causes + communities that aren't always offered the stage. We pay artists well, have a devoted team + love being part of our neighborhood. We're 100% woman owned, which is something that is rare in this industry + something we're super proud of. It wasn't easy getting to this point. Lollipop has hosted some of the best shows we've ever seen, raised funds for those in need + looks out for the Portland music community / our neighbors in general. Bands from rural Thailand to West Africa have graced our stage

Thailand to West Africa have graced our stage.

On the weekends you can dance to a range of DJs spinning Cumbia, House, Amapiano, Hip Hop, Disco + more. One of the best things about Lollipop Shoppe is the diversity of our programming. There's something for everyone + it's a place for everyone.

We've hosted nights that feature trans femme artists, are the home of the monthly hip hop showcase The Thesis + produce an array of special events on the weekend from kids music recitals to drag brunches. One of our roles in the community is to help artists grow + give them a place to cut their teeth. We are and incubator room that offers excellent sound, a beautiful space + good pay. Artists that have an audience much larger than our capacity have opted to play here for multiple nights because of the magic of this space. IYKYK.

It's been a marathon keeping our doors open these past three years. Last year our insurance increased to over $5k a month without incident or claims. We've been broken into several times + have debt that's incurred to keep going. We need relief. Being financially creative is draining + detracts from us being able to work on business development + grow. Summer is the slowest time for an indoor venue + we're at the end of a tough one. A number of larger, unexpected expenses (equipment repairs, a flood, some ownership changeover etc) have incurred + it's been tough. Lollipop Shoppe needs support to remain open.

Funds raised from this campaign will be used to pay bills, staff, artists + grow our programming. In order to increase revenue we're adding more events during the day on the weekends + adding more shows Mondays + Tuesdays. This stabilize us + allow us to succeed. We've already seen the results of some of that. But we need a stop gap. Event growth doesn't happen over night. We also need funds to increase marketing so event are better attended. We are often busy, but being a little busier is what is needed.

So here we are, asking y'all for help. We've put everything + then some into this. It's our life + it's been difficult, but we're here for the long haul. The Portland venue music community wouldn't be the same without a space like Lollipop + we're constantly hearing from artists + guests that this place is special + meaningful.

If you can, please contribute to us succeeding. To us being less hand to mouth + being less being less stressed. To finally having a buffer so we can absorb life's curveballs. We don't have any more funds to contribute, so we need you. This is not a drill. We will not be able to continue without folks showing up. It's hard to be this vulnerable + ask for this type of help, but we believe everyone benefits from us being funded + continuing. We promise the returns will be there.

Portland + artists + guests, we love you more than you know. Thank you for all your hard work + for showing up. We do this for you.

Thank you for reading + please come through sometime soon.