Empowering Bakeries and Cafes to Grow with Their Communities
How NuMarket campaigns let each Café & Bakery's unique vision shine
Unique Dreams Realized Through Community Funding
In the heart of local neighborhoods, where the smell of freshly baked goods and coffee fills the air, independent bakeries and cafes are not just businesses; they are vibrant community hubs. NuMarket, a pioneering platform in small business funding, has stepped into the role of transforming the dreams of such establishments into reality. By leveraging the support of their most significant assets—their customers—places like Sixteen Mill, Amazing Ackee, One Mighty Mill, Cafe Gloria, and Paris Creperie have embarked on unique journeys of growth and expansion. This case study delves into how each of these unique cafes and bakeries has utilized NuMarket to foster a deeper connection with their community, highlighting their distinct dreams and the collective effort to realize them.
Sixteen Mill: Crafting a Huge Gluten Free Community
$38,811 raised from 266 contributors
Sixteen Mill, a bakery known for its treats that you would never know were gluten free, envisioned creating a space where the Brooklyn community could find surprising sweetness and the comfort of freshly baked goods. Their NuMarket campaign aimed to fund the opening of their new bakery and takeaway shop, while introducing new menu items for their farmers market stalls. The funding from their customers not only helped open their doors to acclaim and fanfare but also reinforced the notion that Sixteen Mill was more than just a bakery—it was a shared community space, crafted out of love by Talia and Miles and sustained by the people it served.
Talia, Miles and the Sixteen Mill family used social media and email to connect with their community on a deep and personal level. By letting real people in on their real journey to opening Sixteen Mill through their NuMarket campaign, they grew their community and raised the money they needed to thrive.
Amazing Ackee: Bringing Authentic Flavors to the Forefront
$15,995 raised from 171 contributors
Amazing Ackee and it’s owner, Chantal, set out with a dream to introduce and celebrate Caribbean food in New England, through ackee-based pastries and dishes in Connecticut. Through NuMarket, they sought to open their first storefront and expand their kitchen to accommodate the growing demand for their famous ackee and patties. The campaign resonated deeply with customers, many of whom were eager to support a venture that promised to bring a taste of Vegan goodness to their doorstep. The success of their campaign was a testament to the community's desire for different culinary experiences and their willingness to support those who dared to dream differently.
Chantal’s vision for the shop shone throughout the campaign with personal instagram stories and email updates throughout the campaign. Small business owners face countless setbacks in realizing their dreams and Chantal was never afraid to share what those meant and how Amazing Ackee’s customers were a huge part of overcoming those obstacles.
One Mighty Mill: Reviving the Tradition of Stone Milling
$22,197 raised from 170 contributors
One Mighty Mill has taken the lead on the mission to bring back the age-old tradition of stone milling, offering their community freshly milled flour and a range of baked goods made from organic, locally sourced grains. Their NuMarket campaign was specifically aimed at expanding the offering of their Bakery & Cafe in Massachusetts, by buying a state of the art pizza oven. The enthusiastic participation of their customers not only highlighted the community's support for sustainable and healthy food practices but also emphasized the need for a physical space to enjoy that food.
Tony and the team at One Mighty Mill engaged their community of customers in store and online, deepening personal connections through their NuMarket campaign that led to critical funding. Local media and community groups shared their campaign widely to create a truly community driven campaign.
Cafe Gloria: A Dream of Sustainable Coffee Culture
$31,000 raised from 178 contributors
Legendary mixologist Will Isaza broke the news that he would be opening his very own Cafe Gloria, named after his Mother. He dreamed of creating a fully sustainable coffee shop that highlighted coffees and baked goods from Colombia. Their campaign on NuMarket was hugely successful in engaging Will’s community across Boston and specifically in East Boston, where Cafe Gloria would be opening up. The campaign also generated interest regionally, with media coverage and sustained buzz both throughout the campaign and afterward. The overwhelming support from their future customers was a clear indicator of the community's shared desire to see Will’s dream come to life. Cafe Gloria's success story through NuMarket is a powerful reminder of how the dreams of a business owner their customers can lead to meaningful achievements.
Paris Creperie: Expanding the Love for French Crepes
$19,575 raised from 164 contributors
Paris Creperie's dream was to spread the community love they had generated for years beyond their original location, aiming to open a new bar next door. Their expansion wasn’t centered on the crepes and coffee they had become known for, but an entirely new concept called Bar Lunette. Their NuMarket campaign captured the hearts of many, drawing support from customers who were enchanted by their delicious crepes and the promise of more Paris goodness into the evenings. The campaign's success was not just a win for Paris Creperie but a celebration of the community's enthusiasm for businesses that are neighborhood staples.
Conclusion
The journeys of Sixteen Mill, Amazing Ackee, One Mighty Mill, Cafe Gloria, and Paris Creperie, as facilitated by NuMarket, underscore the profound impact of community funding. Each establishment, with its unique dream, has demonstrated that when businesses open up funding opportunities to their customers, they tap into a reservoir of support that goes beyond financial contributions. These campaigns have fostered a sense of emotional ownership and pride among customers, transforming them into the biggest drivers of long-term success. NuMarket has not only enabled these bakeries and cafes to grow with their communities but has also redefined the essence of community-supported businesses, where dreams are shared, and achievements are celebrated together.