Community crowdfund aims to bring a little bit of Paris to Townsend Street

A few local downtown businesses have ideas on how they’d like to expand and offer more to the community — and you have a chance to make those dreams come true.

The MYPros-led crowdfund campaign launched on Aug.1 and runs through Aug. 31. The goal is to raise $25,000 to unlock $35,000 in matching funds to go towards Townsend Street businesses Crepes Et Amis and Iron Dame. 

Kevin LaDuke is the communications officer at the Midland Area Community Foundation, and steering committee chair for MYPros and co-chair of the crowdfund subcommittee. He says while the initial idea was small, today, it has grown into something mighty. 

“The crowdfund was originally designed by young professionals to help them give a little bit of stake in the changes going on in our community, and to give them a voice in the business landscape,” LaDuke says. “We started small with the first crowdfunding in 2019, which benefited Pizza Baker. Since then, we’ve injected over $200,000 in impact through the MYPros Community Crowdfund.”

This year’s cycle features a vision of creating a charming outdoor gathering space, bringing a little slice of Paris right to downtown Midland. Crepes Et Amis and Iron Dame’s ideal detailed plans feature French-inspired seating, pergolas, and a ‘love fence’ on Townsend Street. The placemaking project is also supported by neighboring shops Bookmarks and Mr. Moustache. 

The crowdfund campaign is organized by the MYPros, an initiative of the Midland Business Alliance, and in partnership with the Midland Area Community Foundation. The goal is to help young professionals realize the power of placemaking, and enable them to be a part of economic vitality. 

In the campaign video, dual-business owner Brandon Morey, says the goal is more than just a place to sit outside, but rather a community hub. After growing a successful customer base at the farmer’s market, downtown Midland became a natural fit for both Iron Dame and Crepes Et Amis to plant roots as a brick-and-mortar. Now, they’re looking forward to their next flourishing chapter. 

“What we want to do is add some flower pots down here,” he says in the video. “Planters also are the backs of seats. We want to add pergolas so that it's a really nice place for people to sit, it’s eye-catching, it’s comfortable, and it’s welcoming.”

The other feature is a love fence, where folks can put symbolic locks on it, marking their connections to one another and the community.

LaDuke says this crowdfund campaign is a large part of what MYPros does, in addition to its mission of uniting people with one another through events. 

“MYPros really works to attract and retain talented young professionals by creating those networking opportunities and providing personal and professional development,” he says. “We have all sorts of events that take place throughout the year supporting community involvement, fostering an overall investment in the future of Midland. This crowdfund is one of those tools that help MYPros become that organization that lives up to that particular goal.”

LaDuke says this campaign shows the power of people coming together for a common goal. So far, with less than two weeks remaining, the campaign has raised about $9,655 from 88 donors (at time of publication). 

Previous successful crowdfund campaigns have enabled outdoor seating at Grove Tea Lounge and Three Bridges Distillery, and an expansion of Allied Group Fitness and Nor’East Outdoors. 

Donations can be made online or via check, specified for the Downtownsend Crowdfund, mailed to the Midland Area Community Foundation at 76 Ashman Circle, Midland, MI 48640.