Target reached!
£5000 is our target and we are delighted to hit it! Thank you, thank you, thank you....
Support Spinach - CRYSTAL PALACE!
London, Greater London, United Kingdom
Aim
I am opening a SPINACH, a local, independent all-day restaurant, on the Crystal Palace Triangle. And you can be part of making it happen.
Hi, I'm Melissa and I own and run Spinach in East Dulwich and, until recently, Baby Spinach in Streatham. There is an opportunity to bring Spinach to the Crystal Palace Triangle - I just need a little help to make it happen.
What's in it for you, you ask?
- To support a family run independent business in Crystal Palace and keep the chains away!
- Spinach restaurant vouchers that you can redeem in either East Dulwich or Crystal Palace - and more!
- Another passionately run option for your morning coffee, Sunday Brunch, Mum gatherings or 'work from home' days
Me - getting the keys to Spinach, Dulwich!
How We Got Here
I have worked in hospitality my whole life. Opening Spinach on Lordship Lane six years ago was a lifelong dream come true. I have loved every day of serving that community, and was incredibly proud of the success there that allowed us to open our sister Café, Baby Spinach, four years ago.
Spinach - our award-winning restaurant in East Dulwich
Baby Spinach has sadly and suddenly closed - despite being a profitable business with a great community, our landlord raised our rent by 50% and it simply would not have worked. Overnight, a wonderful centre of life was sadly resigned to a storage unit. I'm gutted that we didn't have time to say a proper goodbye to our wonderful customers and friends but was overwhelmed by the support and love shared when we closed (Take a look at the genuine messages here.)
Baby Spinach - Before and After :'(
But enough about the past! An incredible opportunity, for me and for Spinach and (I hope) for the amazing people of Crystal Palace and for YOU, has come up. A unit perfect for a Spinach has come available and I have had an offer accepted. I simply need to raise some additional money to get it open!
The Vision for Crystal Palace
We will recreate the bright, welcoming and comforting atmosphere that we have worked so hard to build in Dulwich right in the heart of the Triangle. We have a unique offering, inspired by Ottolenghi, that will provide something a little different to the community.
Spinach Crystal Palace will have the same smashing menus, with food from local suppliers (Suppliers - please do get in touch). The all day menu will be the same (get a look, and get hungry here) with plenty of bright spaces to entertain your friends, your children, to work from, to host parties (we plan on having an awesome private room) and to pop in for a takeaway or delivery.
Our brunches, in particular, are our biggest draw. Poached eggs and avo, for sure, but I also think you need some sweetcorn fritters and baleadas in your life! Click here to see our tasty insta page.
The team at Spinach Dulwich - some will come with me to Crystal Palace!
Where the Money is Going
I need to raise a rental deposit, a lease premium for the incumbent, and some opening working capital. I have covered the majority of this amount from personal savings but I cannot get the whole way alone.
- If you would prefer a thriving independent business to another chain store - please help!
- If you would like a community focused local run by a Crystal Palace resident - please help!
- If you love Spinach and think others will love Spinach too - please help!
I understand times are uncertain at the moment so I'd like to THANK YOU so much for taking the time to read this, for watching my video, and for considering making a pledge. Please understand that all pledges are so gratefully received and will make a huge difference to me.
All monies are held safely by Crowdfunder until we hit our target. If we don't hit it, your money will be returned to you. If we do hit it we'll be in touch right away. We'll also be updating you on progress with plenty of info and a few more fun videos!
More About Spinach
At Spinach we start the day with Moonroast Coffee and made to order smoothies, free range eggs, locally baked bread and of course avocados. We have freshly made salads that change weekly along with protein sourced from the local butcher. The menu also offers tasty kids meals, freshly baked cakes, gluten free dishes.
We are super family friendly. I am a working Mum and I believe so strongly in creating a place that embraces the chaos of kiddies and family life without compromising on service or quality.
We use local products, buy from small UK producers and employ local people. Most of my team have worked with me for years, my brother works with me and my Mum helps with the accounts and plants at the restaurant.
A big part of the Spinach offering is Catering. Our flavour packed salads work wonderfully for at home BBQs, Christenings, Birthdays, and Anniversaries. I have catered wellness retreats and weddings, and we take part in local food festivals I’m keen to bring the same offering to Crystal Palace and the new restaurant will make an ideal base.
More About Me
I'm Melissa and I live in Crystal Palace and have done for the past 6 years. I have two young children 1 & 4 (currently at Cypress Primary). I love the community that I live in.
You can typically find me having a pint in the Westow Pub, enjoying the classic family run La Bruschetta, browsing for gifts at Indigo Tree, having a coffee in Roasted Bean and brunching in Green & Brown. I can’t talk about Crystal Palace without mentioning the fantastic, historic park of course. I believe that I can enhance all that I love in Crystal Palace by recreating Spinach in East Dulwich on the Triangle.
I'm around to answer any questions here, on social media or in person.
Big thanks, Mel x
This project successfully funded on 9th November 2022