Help Us Grow Our Roots: From Pop Up to Permanent Lounge

Hi, my name is Michaela Kascak—many of you know me as Aela or MK. I’m an herbalist and the owner of Rose Rooted, a business dedicated to cultivating community and connection through alcohol- and drug-free experiences.

Rose Rooted is a multi-faceted business rooted in earth-based practices. We offer educational workshops, holistic wellness events, women’s circles, herbal products, and our main offering—our elixir bar.

We’ve been growing and sharing these offerings as a pop up for three years. Now, we’re ready to take two big leaps forward—and we need your help. Rose Rooted has been a labor of love, personally funded by me for years, but to sustain and grow, we’re asking for community support.

Our crowdfunding campaign will help fund two key phases:

Phase 1 is launching herbal honey-based syrups and bottled elixirs for restaurants, bars, and stores.

Phase 2 is opening a brick-and-mortar café and lounge in Asheville—a nourishing space for community to gather, featuring workshops, open mics, gallery features, and more.

Your support means the world to us. Any contribution helps, and sharing this campaign can go a long way in spreading the word. Together, we can build a space where connection, creativity, and community thrive.

Thank you for believing in our vision and for helping Rose Rooted grow!

Below is a breakdown of our estimated expenses for these two phases as well as the vision for our brick & mortar space. This crowdfunding page is broken up into smaller goals. Our total goal is $25,000. The full details of Rose Rooted's story and our vision can be found here.

The Vision

Our brick and mortar will be a space that not only offers our elixirs and apothecary, but one that truly fosters connection through wellness and educational focused events, open mic nights, workshops and many other community gatherings.

Picture this: Whiskey lounge atmosphere meets a Pacific Northwest Forest. The space will be set up as a bar and lounge, inviting both community and connection. Those who walk past the storefront are drawn in by the large window featuring vibrant green plants and a sneak peek of the live moss and herb wall behind the bar that we source herbs from for elixirs. During the day, natural light fills the space, uplifting the mood and inviting connection at our community table or a space to rest and recharge in our private lounge chairs set back from the rest of the space. While sipping on our blueberry bergamot and lavender Flower Crown elixir customers explore our apothecary, featuring products from local herbalists, and herbal library shelves. Our menu features enticing effervescent elixirs, nourishing steamers and lattes, and a ‘from farm and forest to table’ small bites menu with seasonally inspired snack boards, dessert specials and other unique offerings that inevitably get your mouth watering with one glance of the menu– all inspired by nature and infused with supportive herbs. The space features velvet couches and tables for two, alongside the community table and private lounge chairs. During week nights, lanterns line the bar and the walls, creating an intimate but welcoming environment. Weekends feature live music from local musicians and open mic for a more upbeat scene. One wall makes up an art gallery curated from pieces from local artists. Monthly workshops nourish the community in heart and mind with earth-based wisdom shared from teachers, artists and visionaries alike. The space is cozy and welcoming, available to everyone, adults, kids and families from all backgrounds, as inclusivity and accessibility are at the core of our values.

Estimated Bottle Elixir Launch Expenses:

Food Production Consulting $150-$300

Shelf Stability Testing $300-$500

Marketing Materials budget $500

Total: $950-$1,300

Estimated Opening Expenses for Bar & Lounge:

Fridge $2,000

Ice machine $700

Carbonator Pro Soda Machine $409

Oven and stove top $1,050

Reverse Osmosis water filter $289

Three compartment sink $650

Hand sink $200

Glasses $300

Mugs $265

Utensils $180

Plates $140

Snack boards $190

Signage $180

Bar $7,000 approx

Bar stools $365

Table and chair set x 8 $3,352

Lighting $500

Oven and sink installation estimate: $400-$800

Couch $995

Lounge chairs x2 $1,400

Community table and chairs $1,000

Behind bar large wall shelving $1,289

Live wall $2,880

Apothecary shelf $134

Lanterns x 6 $180

Live Plants $300

Total Estimated Expenses for Bar & Lounge: $24,949-$25,349

Photo by Jessica Keaveny www.jessicekeaveny.com