Main fundraiser photo

Save "buttercup"!!!

Donation protected
My name is Julie Barker and I live in Wheeler, OR.  I recently opened “buttercup Homemade Ice Creams and Chowders” in the beautifully scenic river town of Nehalem, in Tillamook County, Oregon.  Previously, I owned and operated two businesses in Manzanita,  the Blue Sky Café for 17 years and bread and ocean bakery and deli for 12 years.  Both were hugely successful. Over the course of the last 28 years  I have employed hundreds of local people and added significantly to the Tillamook County economy.  Many people believe I helped put Manzanita on the culinary map for serving inventive, superior quality food with locally-sourced ingredients.   Now I’ve moved to Nehalem and want to help this town become a more economically diverse community and a culinary destination as well.

I have spent a lot of time developing my concept at “buttercup”.  An array of chowders are prepared “to order” either cold or hot.  The ice creams are mostly custard-based and very inventive, paired with their own individual house-made cone which as far as I can see is a new concept.   We also accommodate most diets, including dairy-free chowders and ice creams and vegan/gluten-free cones.  At “buttercup” everything is “to go” which allows us to focus on the creation of high quality products.

Our goal is to support other local businesses.  We are a truly community-based business. Our milk comes from Bennett Family Farm, our eggs from Misty Meadow Farm, both in Tillamook, Jacobsen salt in Netarts, and seafood from  Community Supported Fishery in Garibaldi.   Local farms also provide our produce whenever available.  

Here’s why I’m so excited about my concept:

1. Everything has a recipe and a system. We have made preparation of chowder and ice cream into a fine science. On the line, chowders are measured carefully for consistency. The cost of each ingredient and it's quantity has been determined in advance. Anyone with a little training can prepare any of our chowders or ice creams.

2. No waste. Ever! Anything left over from the chowder prep is loaded into quarts for sale from our grab and go freezer the very next day.

3. Who else is doing artisan chowder?

4. We have Tillamook Creamery and they're fantastic but we don't have an artisan ice cream shop that serves seasonal ice creams paired with unique cones. Isn't it time?

5. Mass marketing. We already have a plan in motion to increase the volume of business including putting our product into "big box" retail stores like Whole Foods, New Seaons, and Kroger. Working with Fed-Ex to get our product shipped to your home, anywhere in the continental US, with just one click of a button.

6. Franchising. Our business model is perfect for this. We'd like to see a buttercup in every busy coastal town (or even big cities) in the state!


Unfortunately due to construction delays and unforeseen problems, my working capital was used up months before we opened.  I am now faced with the possibility of failure even though “buttercup” has been well received by customers and food critics.  I need working capital in order to pay off construction costs, pay my vendors whom are patiently waiting and equip my shop with many items it’s been lacking. Only then can I begin the next phase of growth for “buttercup”. There is no one who has put more energy and time into this County.    Indeed, I feel I should be the poster child for economic development!

"buttercup" could use your help. I've thought about cutting my losses and getting out but I truly, truly believe in my concept and the feedback I get makes me think everyone else believes it too. Check out Yelp, Trip Adivsor and Facebook to see what people are saying. I have plans for "buttercup". 

Frankly, I need $10,000 to pay off debt incurred due to opening delays and another $10,000 to get buttercup settled to begin "growing" my concept into it's next phase.

This is hard for me to ask because I've always made it on my own and never wanted to ask for help on this scale before. But people do this every day right? I'm an honest, hard-working person and I honor my committments. I'm not going anywhere!


I believe in “buttercup”.  I’m fighting for “buttercup”.  It’s a safe bet to invest in my future.  Thank you for your consideration and time.

Organizer

Julie Barker
Organizer
Wheeler, OR

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.