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Proper Pie just over a month out, launches Kickstarter

The “coming soon” to Broad Street Proper Pie says that they are just over a month away from opening the doors, and have launched a Kickstarter fundraising campaign:

Some of you out there might have heard of us, but for those that haven’t, or don’t know what we consider to be a proper pie; it is a delicious savory-style pie common in regions of the world like New Zealand and Australia. It’s a hand-sized, hand-held, handmade meat and/or veggie pie that can serve as a snack or a meal. Our goal is to bring that kind of pie to this part of the world, Richmond, Virginia.

It’s a crucial time and our goal for opening is just over a month away. There are still a few more major purchases to make, and commercial kitchen equipment is certainly not cheap. Plus, we need the most important part: ingredients! So we are reaching out to ask for your help.

24 comments

Gordothebarbarian 08/31/2012 at 8:02 AM

so the business plan was secure a store front and????

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27St 08/31/2012 at 8:18 AM

Wow, this place is “a month out” and needs $15,000? Unless this place is swanky (it’s not), there’s no reason they’d need that much if they’re actually ready to open. This isn’t going to last long at all.

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Eric Huffstutler 08/31/2012 at 4:18 PM

Trying to be optimistic but it also appears their vision surpassed their wallet and didn’t have capital or a business model in place.

True, equipment is expensive even used but that along with the simple basics like ingredients should have been factored into bank loans and/or bankrolls (capital) prior to even going into this venture. Without capital they will fail if something happens like equipment failure, hiring staff, insurance claims, etc…

That said, we can hope they will get things going but the way Kickstarter works is they need local contributions for the organization to match funds. If they don’t meet the $15k goal then Kickstarter will not “kick” in their portion. I know, I am in a big budget documentary in which the director also used kickstarter to help his budget and needed $75,000 more to finish – which he raised and kickstarter worked for them.

Eric

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Alex 08/31/2012 at 4:41 PM

Let’s just hope they’re trying to build a little cushion here.

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Trish 08/31/2012 at 6:05 PM

They only started the campaign today and have already raised a little over three grand. There’s 24 days left and per their blurb apparently quite a few people suggested Kickstart to them. If this gets onto Richmond.com or possibly the Times Dispatch’s website they can probably do it. (Just made my contribution, thanks)

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Dr. Hurt 08/31/2012 at 10:23 PM

These are two people putting themselves out there and working on this place non stop while still holding down jobs. I think they deserve respect and congratulations for trying to bring something new to this town. It’s disheartening to see people be so negative, as though you’d enjoy watching them fail because it would make you feel better abut yourselves.

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Ms. Tippens 09/01/2012 at 9:22 AM

I wholeheartedly agree w/ Dr. Hurt & Trish. Why the negativity? Restaurant equipment is incredibly expensive 10K can be spent on 2 pieces of equipment even if purchased used. Proper Pie is going to be a wonderful addition to the neighborhood, city, east coast, etc. & you all will be eating your words : ) Can’t wait for Proper Pie to be open & selling yummy pies! Thank you for your hard work Nikki & Neil!

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just another hillbilly 09/01/2012 at 9:32 AM

ditto @ 6 & 7. nikki & neil: bring it.

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Lisa 09/01/2012 at 6:10 PM

Crankypants Peoples News.

Really-let’s show support to these folks who are working their butts off to bring a creative eatery to the neighborhood. Opening a restaurant is not only expensive, but all the building codes and restaurant codes make it even more costly and time consuming. I am psyched to have Proper Pies with in walking distance. Thanks Nikki & Neil for trusting the neighborhood to support you!

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Trish 09/03/2012 at 11:05 AM

Three weeks left, five grand raised. COME ON, CHURCH HILL!!

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Zookeeper 09/06/2012 at 9:24 AM

I wonder when I read this blog how many of the chronic complainers and criticizers have laid themselves out in Church Hill to begin a business? Have you been up until one am working to make a project work, a storefront appealing, a product worth buying? How about changing your perspective, show a little bit of grace for folks who are willing to take the risk that you, more than likely, don’t have the moxie for. We’ve now started our third successful business in Church Hill and I know how much time, effort, and $ it takes. We say welcome Nikki and Neal, thanks for being in Church Hill.

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Karen 09/06/2012 at 10:16 AM

@Zookeeper – you are so right! And I checked just now – they are up to $7851 – over halfway there!

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Zookeeper 09/06/2012 at 10:50 AM

I challenge folks to contribute, it will only make CH better.

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Dear Neighbor 09/06/2012 at 10:51 AM

The pies are said to be awesome, and foodies around the world (no joke – it made the news in Oz) have made note of this venture. Hope they pull it off!

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PaulF 09/06/2012 at 2:44 PM

I really wish the best for the business and the proprietors and hope they succeed. But realistically, if their capital position is so weak that they need to solicit money online just to open the doors and buy ingredients, the deck is already massively stacked against them. Most entrepreneurs that have successfully bootstrapped a new small business have planned for the fact that it takes at least a couple of years for most new businesses to become sustainably profitable. Without a capital cushion to make it through the rough patches, the likelihood of making through the first year of operation is very slim indeed. Don’t get me wrong — like everyone else here, I hope they make it, and it would indeed be a great addition to the neighborhood if they did. But based on the admittedly limited information available here, I’m just profoundly skeptical that they can make it happen. It’s much better, in my opinion, to take the time to build some capital or find some investors, than it is to rush things and set yourself up for a speedy failure. This is not negativity, it is rationalism.

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Kiwiboy 09/07/2012 at 11:05 AM

As a fellow Kiwi who has lived in the USA for approx 18 years and CH for 5, a good pie was the first thing I purchased after that 13 hour flight from LA to Auckland NZ, I love them…. The pie that is so popular in NZ and Aus is a part of our culture, an icon, a necessity, a home -grown comfort. I honestly believe, if the venture is launched successfully, operation managed to the highest standard and a fiscally sound (potentially with investor backing) opportunity, it could become a phenomenom in a country fixated with fast food. Good luck Neil,the next Ben and Jerrys,icecream, Spunkmeyer Cookies, Paula Deans meals, let me know if you need any help, I have some creative ideas, Richard

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Human honey Badger 09/21/2012 at 1:28 PM

Just how many legs did the critters that were used in the pies have?

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Trish 09/24/2012 at 5:38 PM

I was out of town last week, so glad Neil and Nikki met their goal!

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John M 09/26/2012 at 7:06 AM Reply

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