Another KickStarter Project for Jacksonville!

[MadamePK]

Greetings!  I just wanted to let you guys know about some exciting news.  Le Chat Noir - Cupcake Bordello and Bakery, just launched its KickStarter project and is looking for support to bring our storefront to one of Jacksonville's beautiful historic areas.

As you know, the recent renovations of the 5-Points theatre were funded through KickStarter.  This is a great example of how locals, and non-locals alike, can support small business and be a part of something huge!

As you know, we have been looking for months for the right place to lay down our roots.  After looking at several locations, contractor in tow, I discovered the cost to implement my vision in one of Jacksonville's great old buildings is going to cost more than I had alloted.  Rather than put myself in debt by borrowing money from the banks or an investor, I decided to turn to the people that have helped me get to where I am today, and those that just want to see a small business succeed!

Please read the excerpt below from our FaceBook page, follow the link, check out our KickStarter project and donate where you can.  Any amount is appreciated and puts us one step closer to our goal, Legalizing The Bordello!

BREAKING NEWS: We have officially launched our KickStarter project! KickStarter is a way for small businesses like mine, to fund projects without having to go into debt to do it by borrowing from banks or investors. The projects are funded by the very folks who love the business & want to see it succeed! Every one of you could be a part of the opening of Le Chat Noir - Cupcake Bordello and Bakery's real, live storefront right here in Jacksonville, FL! While our goal is $10k, There are several levels of donations and some are eligible to receive a reward. For as little as $10, you could earn anything from noteriety (your name mentioned on our FaceBook, Blog, and Website), to a V.I.P. invitation to our gala grand opening event, to free cupcakes for an entire month! The minimum donation amount is $1.00. Yes, that's right, for less than a pack of gum, you can help to open our storefront. Unfortunately, KickStarter only allows me 60 days to make all this happen. So, in 2 months, I either have the $10k to move forward or I don't. Don't worry, if I don't get the backing I need, you keep your money, but if...WHEN, I do, you'll be able to walk proudly into our shiny new storefront and say, "I helped build this!" Thank you all for your support in building what we have today & thank you in advance to helping to fund our storefront. Please click on the link to read more about the project, about how KickStarter works, and how to back our project.
Sincerely,
Madame PK
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cupcakebordello/legalize-the-cupcake-bordello

[Kay]

What location are you looking at?

[MadamePK]

What location are you looking at?

I've looked at 2 in San Marco just outside of the square, 3 in old 5-points, 1 in the newer area of 5-points (by Publix), 1 in Riverside around King and Park, 1 in St. Nicolaus,  and 1 at the Atlantic Beach town center.

[MadamePK]

Here is a copy of the Press Release we sent out to the Florida Times Union today, which should show up in Monday's paper:

Legal Bordello Asks Jacksonville for a ‘Kick’.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA…(March 9, 2012)  On March 8th, 2012, Le Chat Noir â€" Cupcake Bordello and Bakery launched its project, Legalize the Bordello, on the popular crowd-funding site, KickStarter.

“It’s a great way for people to be directly involved in bringing more small, local businesses into their community,” said Patti Kirkey, owner of Le Chat Noir â€" Cupcake Bordello and Bakery.  Mrs. Kirkey moved the business to Jacksonville from Fort Worth, TX, last June.  “It’s very exciting.  I’ve always been a hands-on  kind of person, so the idea of being able to fund the opening of my storefront through donations, knowing who is supporting the project, rather than going into debt borrowing from a bank, or losing a percentage of my business working with investors, is perfect.”

Mrs. Kirkey is looking to receive $10,000 from people willing to back her project.  The funds need to be received within the next 60 days, by May 8th, 2012, in order for the project to be fully funded.  The money will be used to open a retail storefront in one of Jacksonville’s historic neighborhoods.

“The monetary aspect is only part of the overall project.  The money will help me to finish buying the equipment I need, and to build-out a storefront however, adding another small business to Jacksonville is what will continue to grow this city.  The small businesses are the icing on the cupcake.”

In the coming weeks, Le Chat Noir â€" Cupcake Bordello and Bakery will be planning an introductory event for invited guests to sample the bakery’s artisan cupcakes, whose names describe various types of women;  Bordello Bites (small, bite-sized cake and frosting confections), French macarons, and other delightful delicacies.  There are also plans to open a pop-up shop for a day, an increasingly popular idea to use otherwise vacant retail space, to sell their unique goodies to the public.

“I want to give my customers the opportunity to just walk into a space and get a picture of what my storefront will look like, as well as just have the fun of walking up to the counter and ordering a Toasty Tart,” the namesake of the bakery’s lemon meringue pie flavored cupcake.

“I’m glad to be back in Jacksonville, my home for 13 years of my life, and looking forward to bringing this unique concept to the First Coast.”

Le Chat Noir â€" Cupcake Bordello and Bakery is currently located at 8104-4 Old Kings Rd. S. in Jacksonville, by appointment only, specializing in artisan cupcakes, cakes, French macarons, and other Parisian-inspired desserts.  For more information about the bakery, visit their website at www.cupcakebordello.com, or on FaceBook at www.facebook.com/cupcakebordello.