When I'm feeling self-indulgent, I entertain thoughts of opening a cafe. You know, a casual neighborhood hangout that serves all-day breakfast and feels like home. The downsides of the service industry—the long hours, the demanding clientele, the financial risk—have always confined those musings to my imagination. So I have the utmost admiration for the brave souls who leap from the safety of daydreams into the realities of owning a restaurant. Case in point? Heartbreak Coffee, a gorgeous independent coffee brand based in Long Beach, which recently launched a Kickstarter campaign for their first brick and mortar location.
Heartbreak began when java afficionado Gretchen decided to start hand-roasting beans at home in the wake of several close-but-no-cigar attempts to open her own coffee shop. The business has since grown by leaps and bounds, taking over Gretchen's house and reaching the point where she either has to relocate to a commercial facility or cease operations altogether. The city has approved the project and a beautiful storefront location, but Gretchen needs funding to navigate the zoning and installation process. Once I read the entire Heartbreak Coffee story, I immediately felt compelled to support the Kickstarter campaign and help spread the word—and I hope you will too!
Images: Heartbreak Coffee Instagram