Fuel Max's Dream of Kinder Being Cafe

Short Version:

Help cover initial starting costs of a new community oriented coffee shop called Kinder Being Cafe. Located in the Government Center record store on the North Side of Pittsburgh. Opening Fall 2024.

Long Version:

A few months ago I was given an opportunity to take over the coffee shop inside of Government Center and turn it into my own place, Kinder Being Cafe. I've worked in coffee on and off again for over 14 years. I've thought before about starting my own shop, but the financials required was always a road block and a major deterrent. Opening Kinder Being is only possible because the space is already there, ready to go and because the Gov Center crew have been so nice and welcoming, wanting whatever comes in to vibe with what they already have going on. At this point it feels like the shop is going to open either way. I wanted to be open and transparent about that.

However, there are still the start of up costs of paying for the initial legal work, accounting, insurance, buying product, decorating, and hopefully paying myself and whoever else works there a living wage.

Like I said before, the financials have always been a barrier for me and truly would love to be able to explore making this place work while also not going into crazy debt on day 1. Honestly, anything I get from this will just go into being able to make the shop more inviting and community oriented.

Speaking of the word "community", I bet that's probably a word that is on almost every new bar/restaurant/coffee shop website and they don't always follow through.

That's not a dig on anybody, but I do want to make sure that I'm living up to expectations of what I feel a community oriented space can offer. I did a little online poll on Instagram and so far sounds like people want:

-free meeting space/time for activist groups

-free menstral/safer sex supplies

-zines/art/activist info

-a dedicated community free food/fridge shelf

-a pay it forward drink/food program ( example: buy a coffee for a future person who might not have the money/resources at that moment and give it to them no questions asked)

-lots of Non-alchoholic /non caffeinated drinks

-lots of veggie/vegan food

-comfy seating( couches/padded chairs)

Not only do I think all these things will be possible with the new space, but I hope to go further and do more. If you have any ideas for the shop I'd love to hear about it! Send me a messages on Instagram if you got anything else you wanna see in the Cafe

! Thanks for making it this far and considering helping make this dream a reality.

<3

Max