What is The Stormy Teacup?
An alternative tea and coffee shop in the heart of Limerick City, a place that is is a haven for book and craft lovers alike. At first this idea started as a dream of Ruth and Mārtiņš's, it fermented through lots of planning and research, and now it's a solid goal; but with your help we can make it a reality.
Scroll down to the bottom for the ways you can donate, but in return you can get lots of great items like bags, badges or prepay for some tea and coffee, there is something for everyone!
Why does Limerick need another cafe?
True, there are lots of lovely cafés already in Limerick, but none of them stand out as doing something different. It has been 10 years since 'Javas Cafe' closed it's doors in Limerick, yet people still talk about it after all these years; it is still missed. There just isn't anywhere that is both homely and edgy; a place that feels like going to your crazy artist Aunt's house for tea and biscuits.
As artists, aesthetics are just as important to us as having great tea and coffee. But being alternative isn't just about making a space that looks cool, it's about a solid ethos too.The Stormy Teacup will be a communal space where we host events like documentary evenings, book club meetings, lectures, board game nights and chill out Dj sessions.
The Stormy Teacup will be that place to call your second home, whether it's for a chat with friends, some alone time with a book, or a place for a good strong coffee and wifi.
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Let's talk logistics:
We've already found an amazing venue to house our dream. It's in Foxes Bow down a little alleyway that will be perfect with some tables, chairs, and fairy lights outside.
Downstairs will be our craft shop where we'll have our large collection of locally made designs. We've both been involved with crafts for many years and want to bring that passion and knowledge to this project. We've already sourced about 30 different artisan makers to be involved in this shop, with work like; felting, silver jewellery, illustrations, stained glass, ceramics and much more.
Upstairs the space will be a bohemian nook, with original wooden flooring and stonework walls, which will be complimented by the upcycled furniture made by Mārtiņš. We'll have lots of comfy chairs and sofas to help you while away the hours. This area will also house the second hand books we'll have on sale. Ruth has been selling books under the name Bazaar Tales for two years, and she really knows her stuff!
Let's talk good food and beverages:
Currently there is nowhere to buy a cup of loose leaf tea in Limerick, a travesty we know! Martins is a life long enthusiast of herbal teas, and has sourced a great selection of leaves from which we can make our own blends. These will be for sale to take home as well as to drink in our cafe.
Great coffee is also really important to us. We'll be buying a quality barista machine and attending an intensive training weekend to make sure we give you the best coffee every time you order!
We have worked at the Milk Market for several years, a home to many award winning artisan bakers and food producers. We will source our baked goods, jams, and juices from this market, supporting indigenous businesses as much as possible.
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Let's talk money:
After many late night calculations we've figured out that €6,000 is the minimum that we can do this with (plus some money we have raised ourselves). But if you kind folks want to keep contributing, here are two budget streams that outlay what we could do with some extra cash. Please remember that if we don't meet the €6,000 target then we get nothing, so please donate whatever you can afford, every €1 makes a difference!
Budget 1:€6000; With this money we can cover the cost shelving, flooring, plumbing, a boiler, an under the counter fridge and the two till systems. We'll be doing a tonne of the work ourselves to keep it in budget, but it's still doable.
Budget 2: €10,000; With the extra €4000 we can get a wine licence, a small PA system so that we can have dj's, invest in better advertising, and most importantly get a small wood burning stove to make upstairs extra cosy.
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Meet Mārtiņš and Ruth:
Mārtiņš and Ruth both come from creative backgrounds, and have separately been running their own craft businesses for the past several years. Over the last two years they worked together on the very successful pop-up project Limerick Craft and Design, with Ruth project-managing this endeavour. Collectively they have 10 years experience working and selling at craft markets. Previous to their creative careers they both worked in service and have managerial experience of the service industry. They both feel that their varied backgrounds are culminating in this new exciting venture that encompasses all of their passions; crafts, tea/coffee and books.
Ruth Crean has run her own craft business Nice Day Designs for over six years, she has been featured on RTE's Nationwide, and in national publications Prudence, The Sunday Business Post, and Crude Magazine. She is also a card carrying book nerd, and has been selling second hand books at the Milk Market for over two years. Along with her craft business she worked closely with Limerick City Council to set up the co-op Limerick Craft and Design, which popped up for two consecutive Christmases. Ruth is also an active member of the arts community in Limerick and is the representative for Craft and Food forLimerick City of Culture 2014.
Mārtiņš Punculis is an antiques conservator and also makes his own unique upcycled furniture and jewellery under the name Once Upon a Time. The Stormy Teacup will be furnished with all of Mārtiņš handmade furniture, bringing air an of homely madness to the space. He has a lifelong passion for lose leaf teas which he learned in his hometown of Riga, Latvia. As well as being an artist, he has essential experience in hospitality management which will be integral to the success of this project.
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We want to thank you:
For donating towards this Tea and Craft shop start-up we will send you lovely rewards as a thank you. It's quite like prepaying for pretty stuff while also donating to a great cause!
€7 Reward: A set of three 1" badges with the theme of the stormy teacup. These are all designed by Ruth and handmade in house. +Plus a shout out of thanks on Facebook
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€10 Reward: When we open our doors, come and have a yummy cup of tea or coffee and cake on us. You'll probably get a hug or high five into the bargain too! +Plus a shout out of thanks on Facebook
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€20 Reward: Check out this snazzy limited edition canvas bag!The nifty design is by Ruth and is handmade here in Limerick. It's 100% recycled heavy cotton and perfect for carrying lots of books. These will only be made for this Kickstarter campaign so snap them up now. We'll even throw in a set of badges too, cos we're super nice!
+Plus a shout out of thanks on Facebook
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€20 Reward: We've added a new reward since my teacup painting was so popular on facebook. Now you can pick up an 8"x10" mounted print of this watercolour for a bargain +Plus a shout out of thanks on Facebook
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€25 Reward: Right you've read the description and you know The Stormy Teacup will be you new favourite place to hang out, come hang out and have 6 teas or coffees on us. You'll definitely get a hug and a high five! +Plus a shout out of thanks on Facebook
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€50 Reward: There is nothing like a little self pampering, and what better way to indulge than to loll about for an afternoon quaffing tea and eating dainty cakes? High Tea is something everyone should indulge in, now is your time to sit back and relax (while donating to an amazing cause!).
+Plus a shout out of thanks on Facebook
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€100 Reward: We love tea at The Stormy Teacup, so much so that we'll be making our own blend of herbal loose leaf teas. Get our tea lovers hamper which will include 6 bags of gm of loose tea, plus a few other merchandising goodies. +Plus a shout out of thanks on Facebook
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€150 Reward: Help us celebrate our opening with a swanky VIP launch night. We will be inviting secret special guests from amongst the best of our local musicians and DJ's. We will also be providing free nibbles and beverages on this night also. Think twinkly lights, cosy cushions, dulcet voices, sumptuous cakes and scintillating conversations. +Plus a shout out of thanks on Facebook
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€200 Reward: We have just 10 sets of these boutique handmade mystery boxes. Each parcel with contain a collection of high end handcrafts like; original paintings, wood turned pens, unique jewellery, and one of a kind scarves. Each set is individual and can be collated based on whether it's for a man or woman. +Plus An invite to the above VIP party. +Plus we will also list you on our list on sponsors on our website.
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€250 Reward: We will proclaim you as the patron saint of The Stormy Teacup. In the tea shop we will have a wall of sponsors, a tasteful wooden plaque with your name on it will take pride of in our shop, and many passing bards will compose ballads about the wonder of your generosity!
+Plus An invite to the above VIP party. +Plus we will also list you on our list on sponsors on our website.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
€400 Reward: We'll name one of our blends of tea after you. Imagine yourself coming into The Stormy Teacup and asking for a cup of hot 'Joe Murphy' in the morning! +Plus An invite to the above VIP party. +Plus we will also list you on our list on sponsors on our website.
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€500 Reward: Book out our upstairs bohemian tearoom for your private evening party. We will provide 100 cups of tea/coffee with a selection of cakes and finger food as part of this package.+Plus An invite to the above VIP party. +Plus we will also list you on our list on sponsors on our website.
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€600 Rewards: Free tea or coffee for a year! This golden card will allow you to drink tea or coffee in The Stormy Teacup for one year(max. two purchases at a time).+Plus An invite to the above VIP party. +Plus we will also list you on our list on sponsors on our website.
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€1000 Reward: We will name our barista machine after you, and we'll even have a naming ceremony for this very important occasion! +Plus An invite to the above VIP party. +Plus we will also list you on our list on sponsors on our website.
