Eastwood Crowdfunding to Open at 221 East Broadway

When Sivan Harlap (of B-Side fame) and business partner Andrew States pitched their new bar concept for 221 East Broadway, Community Board 3 was split. In the end, the full board decided to greenlight a full liquor license but with strict stipulations on closing times and hours for food service. Discussions reportedly exceeded ninety minutes. That was back in mid-June. Today, the establishment has a name – Eastwood.

Armed with a new identity, Eastwood recently took to crowdfunding site Indiegogo to raise roughly $25,000 in “finishing funds.” In exchange for bigger-ticket donations, ownership is granting “insider pre-opening goodies” like annual membership plans that provide 20% discounts on orders.

According to the page, Harlap and States need the following. Basically the entire bar setup:

Bar and Kitchen Equipment: $12,000
Exhaust Hood and Fan: $15,000
New Storefront: $3,400
Bar, back bar, benches and tables: $18,000
Walk-in Keg Cooler: $9,500
Plus, finishing fixtures: lights, fans, paint, mirrors, etc. bringing us to a nice grand total of $60,000 left to invest.

What’s your opinion of upstart bars crowdfunding in order to open?

Go ahead, make my day…