Home.Stead Cafe Seeks Crowdfunding to Open in Dorchester

A historic building in Fields Corner could have a community-focused cafe this fall if three residents behind the venture can raise $60,000 in the next six weeks. Home.stead Bakery & Cafe is in the works inside the Lenane Building at 1448 Dorchester Ave., Universal Hub reports.

Elisa and Vivian Girard, both of Fields Corner, and Jack Wu of Ashmont are the independent, local owners of Home.Stead Cafe. "It will be a place where neighbors meet, community events are held, and ideas are exchanged," the team writes in its IndieGogo campaign.

Home.Stead Cafe is moving forward already and as of this writing has raised 21% of its IndieGogo goal since March 19. The location overlooking the intersection of Dorchester Avenue and Adams Street is secured with the landlord's support, and architectural drawings are in hand, according to the crowdfunding page. But the owners write that the timely completion of Home.Stead is contingent on the $60,000 from neighbors, and they offer a budget summary to bolster their plea.

The money would join a $100,000 loan the team is securing from the Boston Impact Initiative. This non-profit, among other missions, commits to creating opportunities in underserved communities by supporting businesses; Home.Stead Cafe demonstrates this same goal by promising to provide a fair working environment and training opportunities for local residents.

Once it opens, the plan for Home.Stead is to serve seasonal baked goods and "excellent coffee," and it will also be a venue for pop-up dinners, classes, and public events. Keep tabs on the cafe's Facebook page to follow along with its progress. The Girards and Wu have until May 5 to meet their goal.