The Bakingtist Needs You!!
Donation protected
LONG STORY SHORT: I (Heidi) am overwhelmed with my first Brick N' Mortar bakery costs and really really need your help.
FULL STORY (grab some popcorn and settle in!)
The Bakingtist is a scientifically-grounded bakery that desperately needs your help. After 5 years of hustling out of apartments and selling at events and farmer's markets, The Bakingtist will soon have a BRICK N' MORTAR!!! At its future Home on Holmes, The Bakingtist will reside in part of the old Below the Radar in Downtown Huntsville - right across from the new parking deck!
FULL STORY (grab some popcorn and settle in!)
The Bakingtist is a scientifically-grounded bakery that desperately needs your help. After 5 years of hustling out of apartments and selling at events and farmer's markets, The Bakingtist will soon have a BRICK N' MORTAR!!! At its future Home on Holmes, The Bakingtist will reside in part of the old Below the Radar in Downtown Huntsville - right across from the new parking deck!
To know a little about the dream, The Bakingtist has three main goals:
- Promote science through fun, community, and baking. The name The Bakingtist is based on its owner, Heidi, who is a biochemist that passionately loves the science behind baking - and sees it as an opportunity to encourage people that science, simply, is the beautiful pursuit of discovery. The bakery will be science themed, with an abundance of opportunities to learn science, and offer at-home baking-science kits, as well as science-based baking classes.
- Share delicious artisanal baked goods, light fare, and specialty beverages. The Bakingtist business started selling 8 loaves of sourdough bread at a tiny farmer's market...the bread is called Earth Bread. It always has and always will have a portion of its proceeds donated to local environmental charities. Furthermore, it will sell a variety of other breads (baguettes, brioche, whole wheat...), pastries (croissants, cruffins, muffins, handpies...), Groundbreakers (third of a pound gooey cookies), light fare (sandwiches that feature The Bakingtist breads), and specialty coffee and beverages.
- Support all of its team beyond a living wage. MIT estimates that the living wage (the amount of money needed just to LIVE) in Alabama is $13.77/hour, while the average baker wage in Huntsville is about $9/hour. That is what Heidi made 18 (EIGHTEEN) years ago. The Bakingtist has been, and always will, pay its team beyond a living wage. Right now, everyone has and will be making $15/hour and up. (And by the way - we never will resort to "but they make tips". While your tips are kind, they are not expected. The Bakingtist will not rely on "charity" to support its team.)
Now: the oppressively, terrifying, wake-up-from-sleep panicking part: this is a huge expensive endeavor.
- Heidi and her husband Justin are risking everything on this big ol' dream. They have come to grips that they may lose all of their life savings, 401Ks, max out credit lines, personal loans etc. And that may still not get close.
- The brick n' mortar has to start paying rent June 1, 2022 (wait for it...$7500/month) - and it is pretty evident that the space will take longer to develop due to Huntsville's high demand of construction, and the strong issue of supply shortages.
- Additionally, the development itself its estimated to be $200,000
- And yikes, breathing in a paper bag yet?? The equipment (buying as much used as possible) runs around $100,000.
Huntsville, Heidi loves you. You have been there for the tears, the fears, the extreme excitement, the goodies...the everything. This has been incredibly trying. The amounts of "I can't do this" - particularly at this point, are countless. Please please help.
Organizer
Heidi Kizer
Organizer
Huntsville, AL