We are R&D Foods, a specialty food shop serving Prospect Heights, Brooklyn since 2014 – and we are GROWING! Join us on our crowdfunding journey as we launch our latest venture, R&D Goods. Wander into our new backyard garden where you can linger over your kale salad sandwich. While you’re here, contemplate renting the space itself for a soirée, as we encourage our community to gather again. Kat flower has all the ambiance you need with hand-tied bouquets (and event consultation). Our friend and colleague of over a decade, many of you know Kathleen of kat flower from her pop ups with us over the years.
kat flower pop up at R&D Foods
WHAT?! Let’s break it down:
R&D Goods is a retail store full of gorgeous food-adjacent items for your home
Because the space is NEXT DOOR, we combined the yards into one giant yard
kat flower is here to satisfy your bouquet habit
Sunday Suppers are back! IYKYK
Beer & wine license
We know. It's a lot. So we’re crowdfunding. We’re crowdfunding to cover all these expenses: creating an urban oasis out of a jungle, tweaking the kitchen to service the backyard, renovating the new store, updated signage for both spaces – it’s a multi-project renovation. We’ve got big ideas but not deep pockets.
R&D window during pandemic lockdown
Small business folks like us have already bootstrapped, applied for grants, and procured the best loans we can find. So we've decided to also ask our community for help. In fact we wrote it into the capital plan for the business. And we want to reciprocate, to give you a place to gather in return for your support. Somewhere to celebrate, learn, relax, and sit side by side with a neighbor. Shared experience is what drives community and our new store will double as that space. Our store and its fixtures can serve as your dining room away from home. Rent our space for an intimate dinner, celebration or inquire about community nights (and lower rates) for your organization.
We know It’s a big lift and our goal is a high number. Kathleen thinks we can do it. Ilene thinks we can do it. Sara thinks we can do it. Now it’s up to you. Help us bring this plan to life. Contributions of ANY size (from teeny tiny to VERY BIG) are needed to meet our goals. Kathleen is thinking Mother’s Day for flowers, we’re thinking the same for the backyard. We can't wait to see you there.
"This is the power of gathering: it inspires us, delightfully, to be more hopeful, more joyful, more thoughtful; in a word, more alive. " - Alice Waters
A: As small business owners without tons of equity (read: expensive real estate, years worth of profits in the bank, high net wealth guarantors), we are looking to our own community to support the growth of our businesses. Funds will go directly toward the purchase of store fixtures, overhead like rent & insurance, as well as toward the salaries of staff members.
Q: How do all of you know each other?
A; Sara & Ilene met during their respective tenures at The City Bakery, where they served as General Manager and Savory Chef, respectively. They have worked together, in some capacity, for over 18 years. Ilene saw Kathleen's flower booth at the Brooklyn Flea (c. 2011) as she and Sara were finalizing their business plan for 606 R&D. Ilene loved Kathleen's eye and style and reached out to meet. Kathleen, also a Prospect Heights neighbor, suggested a Valentine's Day pop-up at the restaurant and the rest, as they say, is history. We can't wait to see Kathleen's florals ALL the time instead of just a few times a year!
Q: How long have you been open?
A: Ilene & Sara opened 606 R&D (their first "R&D") on Vanderbilt Avenue in January 2012. While that business closed in March 2015, R&D Foods will celebrate its 8th anniversary(!) in May 2022. Kathleen founded kat flower in 2009 and she's delighted to have a storefront presence again after shuttering her retail presence on Fulton Street in 2010.
Angel gift! Choose your own amount (BIG or small!), no reward needed. Just the satisfaction of knowing you helped.
70 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
Garden Breakfast for 2
Looking for some solace in this crazy city? Look no more. Give us $100 and we'll reserve a table in the backyard for you & yours, complete with two of our breakfast sandwiches, two coffees, and two donuts. BYO plus one.
*Redeemable Monday - Friday, between 8am - 11am, after June 1.
56 Supporters
Select this reward
250.00 USD
Flowers! Flowers! Flowers!
Nab a hand-tied bouquet from kat flower (x 3!) with this reward. You'll get one bouquet each week for 3 weeks in a row. Contribute now and your future self will thank you.
*Redeemable on/after June 1, 2022. Not applicable for holidays or special orders.
7 Supporters
None available
500.00 USD
All the SWAG!
Reward yourself with a copy of Ilene's cookbook, Saladish, our tote bag, hats & tee. Get your neighborhood on and represent Prospect Heights with pride!
10 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
Invite to VIP Opening Party
Get on the list for the most sought after event in the neighborhood this spring. Preview our backyard garden, the new shop, the wares, the setup, the glitter, the glamour. All that, and a bag of SWAG from the $500 reward level. Yes, there will be bubbles.
12 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
5,000.00 USD
Sunday Supper Buyout
Enjoy a three-course family style dinner for you and 20 of your closest friends. An intimate dinner party in our cozy storefront. Includes service, wine & beer AND flowers. Party with us, for our cause.
*Redeemable Sunday evenings only. Mutually agreed upon date in August, September or October 2022.
3 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
10,000.00 USD
Private Garden Party
Go big or go home. Toast and saunter about with 40 of your closest friends in the garden and the shop. Let Ilene create lavish displays of cheese, charcuterie, dips, spreads, crackers, fruit and nuts to impress your guests. Kathleen will design gorgeous florals for you - enjoy them at the party and then take them home. We'll source chocolates, wines, beers and mocktails while you play host. Service, wine, & beer included. Evening finery not included.
* Redeemable on a mutually agreeable date in June. Monday - Friday, from 6 - 8pm or 7-9pm.
Angel gift! Choose your own amount (BIG or small!), no reward needed. Just the satisfaction of knowing you helped.
70 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
Garden Breakfast for 2
Looking for some solace in this crazy city? Look no more. Give us $100 and we'll reserve a table in the backyard for you & yours, complete with two of our breakfast sandwiches, two coffees, and two donuts. BYO plus one.
*Redeemable Monday - Friday, between 8am - 11am, after June 1.
56 Supporters
Select this reward
250.00 USD
Flowers! Flowers! Flowers!
Nab a hand-tied bouquet from kat flower (x 3!) with this reward. You'll get one bouquet each week for 3 weeks in a row. Contribute now and your future self will thank you.
*Redeemable on/after June 1, 2022. Not applicable for holidays or special orders.
7 Supporters
None available
500.00 USD
All the SWAG!
Reward yourself with a copy of Ilene's cookbook, Saladish, our tote bag, hats & tee. Get your neighborhood on and represent Prospect Heights with pride!
10 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
Invite to VIP Opening Party
Get on the list for the most sought after event in the neighborhood this spring. Preview our backyard garden, the new shop, the wares, the setup, the glitter, the glamour. All that, and a bag of SWAG from the $500 reward level. Yes, there will be bubbles.
12 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
5,000.00 USD
Sunday Supper Buyout
Enjoy a three-course family style dinner for you and 20 of your closest friends. An intimate dinner party in our cozy storefront. Includes service, wine & beer AND flowers. Party with us, for our cause.
*Redeemable Sunday evenings only. Mutually agreed upon date in August, September or October 2022.
3 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
10,000.00 USD
Private Garden Party
Go big or go home. Toast and saunter about with 40 of your closest friends in the garden and the shop. Let Ilene create lavish displays of cheese, charcuterie, dips, spreads, crackers, fruit and nuts to impress your guests. Kathleen will design gorgeous florals for you - enjoy them at the party and then take them home. We'll source chocolates, wines, beers and mocktails while you play host. Service, wine, & beer included. Evening finery not included.
* Redeemable on a mutually agreeable date in June. Monday - Friday, from 6 - 8pm or 7-9pm.
