- The name ‘876’ was chosen for the business as it represents the international telephone area code for the Caribbean island of Jamaica. Jamaica, is hometo some of the world’s most popular sports icons and your favorite Jamaican reggae artists such as; Usain Bolt, Robert Nesta ‘Bob’ Marley, Gregory Isaac, Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Shabba Ranks, Marcia Griffiths, among others. 876 Café is an attempt to further expose this exquisite blend of cuisine and culture to a transitional demographic that is not unfamiliar with its appeal.
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Moreen Wallace and Brother Michael Wallace, the main operators of the restaurant, are passionate about their Jamaican culture and how it is represented to a discerning community. Domiciled in Jamaica through their young adult years, they both know and understand the culture and the cuisine of the Caribbean sub region, very well. A single mother of two, a visionary and the perfect people person with over 15 years of professional experience, Moreen saw the opportunity to transform the space from the Indian restaurant to a warm and vibrant tropical bliss. Both siblings bring significant contributions to the success of the business, ensuring something of a perfect combination. Moreen’s community involvement, love for people and unbridled patriotism plus Michael’s raw and creative culinary skill set, provide the perfect recipe for success.
- Michael is a talented chef, creative and skilled with over 8 years of experience in the Food & Beverage industry and provided significant help and motivation toward the opening of the restaurant. The location was chosen due to the vibrant immigrant population. 4221 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington DC.
- We are not just another café, restaurant or bar, we offer a meeting place for people looking to socialize, while experiencing the delectable Caribbean cuisine, live music and the culture in a relaxing atmosphere. We exist to serve and provide quality food and a remarkable experience at a profit. 876 Cafe offers an “Escape to the Island” and opened its door to the public April 10, 2012, then later held its grand opening in June 2012. The restaurant has been featured on Fox5 News and WUSA9/CBS morning shows highlighting its specialty 876 Café Rolls; Ackee & Saltfish and Callaloo choices.
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- After 9 months of infancy and over $100,000 of personal investment, the business is in need of additional funding to move it to the next phase. As with most small business, acquiring traditional funding from banks and other established lending agencies are never easy, especially for restaurants. It’s never the lack of a good concept, but usually the low working capital that strangles such small businesses. We have tried many options for funding but have failed to receive any significant help. It is very important at this time that for the success of the business, an amount of $50,000 be raised in order to move it to the next phase of maturity and on its way to prosperity and profitability.
- The Business is catching on and showing some growth and we anticipate reaching break-even point in the next 3-6 months, which makes it critical to have the working capital in place to carry on the business through to this period.
- Express the magnitude of what contributors will help you achieve.
- Your contribution will allow us to implement the following short term improvement(s), which will help the business to realize an additional 30% in revenue. Further, there is no doubt in our minds that the 876 Café business is a welcome addition to the neighborhood’s small business profile. The short term assistance being sought at this time will be used to enhance the overall preparation and delivery of a high caliber menu in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, unique to 876 Café.
Marketing & Signage
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2500
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Purchase of Ice Machine, HVAC System, Display Refrigerator & Warmer
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14000
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Install Draft (In order to run more competitive Happy Hour Specials)
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3500
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Working Capital
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30000
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50,000
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It is very important for us to make this restaurant succeed because we have invested our love, money and sweat. Your support is key to the success of the business at this time. Additionally, for every $1 raised, 10% will be contributed to support a program for International College Students who have fallen on hard times. International students are a vital and welcomed part of the school community at all levels the USA. While many students get accepted and are enrolled in school, often they encounter extraordinary circumstances and fall into a financial bind, preventing them from buying books, paying tuition, fees, room and board and even food.
Ms. Wallace is so passionate about the support mechanism available to international students in these scenarios, she recently founded and developed a scholarship program while being the president of the Jamaican National Association (JNA) of Washington, DC. As past president and current business owner, her heart still pains for those (international) students who may have fallen on hard times while pursuing their education and a better life in the country of opportunity.
To assist with these types of short-term financial emergencies and allow students to overcome some of the obstacles to success, Ms. Wallace wants to be able to continue to offer a ‘life line’ by supporting students at Howard Law, University of the District of Columbia, and the Jamaican National Association.
For More information on the UDC International Student Emergency Fund; visit http://www.udc.edu/oipe/international_student_emergency_assistance
- International students are a vital part of the global fabric of the University of the District of Columbia. Their sharing in classes and presence on campus provide a rich learning environment that prepares UDC students to engage in an increasingly diverse society. While enrolled at UDC, international students often encounter extenuating circumstances and financial obstacles, such as struggling to buy books, pay tuition and fees, pay rent or even buy food. These obstacles usually adversely impact the retention and success of our international students.
- To assist with these types of short-term financial emergencies and allow students to overcome some of the obstacles to success, the University of the District of Columbia has created the International Student Emergency Assistance Fund to provide emergency grants to international students who face financial difficulties and who have exhausted other resources.
- The fund is intended for International Students at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Assistance will normally be offered only once, as the fund is intended to cover emergency situations only. As funds are limited, priority will be given to students in their final year of enrollment.
- Students seeking help must demonstrate that they had made adequate arrangements to finance their education before they came to the University, and that these arrangements have been affected by unforeseen circumstances or events beyond their control.
A maximum of five (5) grants will be allowed to any one student during enrollment at UDC. The maximum amount available to students during their enrollment at UDC will be $3000 for undergraduate students and $4500 for graduate students.
Should we reach our goal of $50,000, $5,000 will be distributed evenly between the three programs. Jamaican National Association Book Scholarship; The UDC International Student Emergency Fund; and Howard Law Caribbean Student Association Book program.
What We Need & What You Get:
- LEVEL ONE - $10 to $50 – 10% Discount Member Card for 1 year.
- LEVEL TWO- $60 to $100 – 15% Discount Member Card for 1 year. Choice of 1 painting by Artist Jennifer McIntosh (link below)
- LEVEL THREE - $150 to $1000 – 20% Discount Member Card for 1 Year and Choice of 2 Painting by Jennifer McIntosh, Artist (link below).
- LEVEL FOUR: With an offer of $1,001 - $3,000, contributor(s) will be entitled to; 25% member discount for 1 year, Choice of 4 Framed painting by Artist Jennifer McIntosh (link below). Name on VIP 876Cafe Family Wall
- Link to the autographed photos http://jennifermcintosh.com/
As detailed above, the funds are earmarked for improvements to the business with the expectation of a 30% increase in generated revenue. As part of the planning and implementation, improvements to the business will start with the installation of the HVAC unit, providing more comfort and an enhanced ambiance in the general dining room. The purchase and installation of a Draught Beer system to add quality to an already trusted service is also key to the overall targeted improvements at 876 Café. Creating an awareness of the improvements at 876 Café will require a more direct and sustained use of ‘new media’, including, but not limited to; website, e-mail marketing, social medium/media. Radio, newspaper, palm cards, store front signage.
The Impact
- The restaurant creates a unique experience where as it is not just another café, restaurant or bar, we offer a meeting place for people looking to socialize, while experiencing the delectable Caribbean cuisine, live music and the culture (away from home), in a relaxing atmosphere. We exist to serve and provide quality food and a remarkable experience. We have and continue to impact the community positively through job creation (employment) and a place to expose the Jamaican Culture for many to appreciate.
- For every $1 raised 10% will be contributed to support International College Students who have fallen on hard times at Howard Law, University of the District of Columbia, and the Jamaican National Association, a community-based organization providing for the welfare of Jamaican immigrants in the greater DC area. Ms. Wallace is a past president of the organization and founder of the JNA’s Student Scholarship Program (SSP).
- For More information on the UDC International Student Emergency Fund: http://www.udc.edu/oipe/international_student_emergency_assistance
- More on the Book Scholarship founded in 2007, by former President of Jamaican Nationals Association. http://www.embassyofjamaica.org/jamview/archives/2007OCT/news2007OCT16-03.html
- If we reach our goal of $50,000. $5,000 will be distributed evenly between the three programs. Jamaican National Association’s Book Scholarship; The UDC International Student Emergency Fund; and Howard Law Caribbean Student Association Book program.
Other Ways You Can Help
You may not be able to contribute, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help:
- Please spread the word out and make some noise about the campaign. The fact that the biggest, best and most successful businesses started out from very small, non-descript beginnings, give us hope that we at 876 Café are on the right track. The help we seek is a testament to the commitment, belief and knowledge that there is a place for this type of culinary/cultural oasis in this neighborhood, where sharing is caring. We anticipate your usual positive response, soonest.
- Please use the Indiegogo share tools!
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
IN THE MEDIA
http://www.foresthillsconnection.com/food/876-cafe-jamaica-on-conn/
http://www.fashionaccordingtothemenu.com/2012/12/876-cafe.html
http://www.embassyofjamaica.org/jamview/archives/2007OCT/news2007OCT16-03.html
http://www.embassyofjamaica.org/jamview/archives/2007DEC/community2007DEC28-06.html
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