How to help Dayton book cafe launch new Oregon District location

The eleventh annual UpDayton Summit is planned for Thursday, September 19, 2019 at The Brightside Music & Event Venue.  Photo: Baldwin Café-- Leroy Bean

The eleventh annual UpDayton Summit is planned for Thursday, September 19, 2019 at The Brightside Music & Event Venue. Photo: Baldwin Café-- Leroy Bean

Back in September 2019, it was announced that Baldwin Cafe was one of two businesses that won $1,500 in seed money and the support of UpDayton for a year at the 11th Annual UpDayton Summit.

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This week, the new book cafe is asking for the public’s help to hit their $1,000 milestone goal by Feb. 11 in order to stay on pace to move into their permanent home in the Oregon District.

The aim of Baldwin Cafe, founded by Mariah Johnson and Leroy Bean, is to serve the community in a holistic way as a third space between work, school and home. The bookstore is a common meeting place and offers new and used books, African-American literature, and a cafe with tea, vegan and vegetarian options.

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The cafe expects to open this spring in the basement of Puff Apothecary in the Oregon District.

The 11th annual Updayton Summit was held Thursday, Sept. 19 at the Brightside Event Venue.  Baldwin Café   presented by Leroy Bean and  Mariah Johnson  (center) was one of two winning projects.

Credit: Briana Snyder

icon to expand image

Credit: Briana Snyder

So far, the public has raised $676 of the desired $1,000 milestone goal. Donations made now will help improve the physical space with paint, custom-made bookshelves and inventory purchases of books and tea. To donate money, pay a visit givegab.com. Overall, the book cafe hopes to raise at least $5,000 by the fall.

OTHER WAYS TO HELP

• Assistance painting the space on Sunday, Feb. 9 at 5 p.m.

• Assistance painting the space on Monday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m.

• Donated lamps

• Donated art decor for walls

• Donated books

• Donated bookshelves

• Donated supplies for custom bookshelf collaboration with Gem City Makerspace: gloves, masks, glasses, wood glue, wood filler, sanding blocks, hammers, U hooks, drywall sheets, drywall screw, paint brushes and rollers, sandpaper 60/120 grit, varathane stain+poly

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If you can provide any assistance to the cause, send an email to baldwincafedayton@gmail.com.

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