Support Perch: a community cafe needs your support

Support Perch cafe and bakery!

Perch was born in 2022 out of our love for great coffee, warm baked goods, and welcoming community spaces. After experiencing layoffs and unsafe work environments during Covid, we dreamed of creating a place where people could gather safely, feel cared for, and be their authentic selves.

When we moved to Waldoboro, we carried inspiration from our favorite Portland coffee shops (shout out to Little Woodfords!) and poured it into Perch. From the very beginning, we’ve been guided by inclusive values—especially creating a queer-affirming space in rural Maine where the LGBTQIA+ community and allies can feel supported and celebrated.

Over the past three years, Perch has grown into so much more than a coffee shop. People come for espresso, warm buttery biscuits, and cinnamon rolls—but they stay for connection, love, and belonging. We’re proud to be a “third space” where folks can show up exactly as they are.

But like many small family businesses, we face daily challenges. Rising costs, a seasonal economy, inflation, and supply-chain impacts have all taken a toll. And now, our beloved espresso machine—the heart of Perch—is on her last legs. Espresso machines are built to last for decades, but after just three years of use, ours is facing irreparable damage. The water quality in coastal Maine has been a major factor, and will require the installation of some additional heavy duty water filtration to remedy the issue.

Why This Matters

Our espresso program isn’t just a menu item—it’s one of our biggest sources of revenue and a core part of the Perch experience. Without it, we face a very real financial cliff this winter.

We need your help to:

☕ Replace our espresso machine and upgrade our water filtration– ensuring we can continue to serve the high-quality drinks you love.

Sustain through winter – so we can grow our hours and days of service, meeting the community’s needs.

Secure a permanent home – to root Perch in Waldoboro for years to come.

How You Can Help

* DONATE what you can—every dollar makes a real difference.

* SHARE this fundraiser with a personal note about what Perch means to you.

* Come VISIT us! Bring a friend, grab a coffee, or look out for upcoming Perch merch.

Perch was always meant to be more than a coffee shop. It’s a space for gathering, for care, for rest and joy. It’s a space where queer folks and allies feel at home. And it’s a space we’ve built with so much love—hand in hand with all of you. We’re proud of what we’ve created here. And we’re hopeful that, with your help, we’ll get through this chapter and grow stronger on the other side. Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring. Thank you for being our community.

Thank you for helping us weather this challenge and build a thriving, inclusive community—together.

With gratitude,
Lynn & Eli and the whole Perch family