Uptown Cafe Launches Fund For New Performance Space, Report Says

INWOOD, NY — An independent Inwood cafe is teaming up with a local yoga studio and a nonprofit arts organization to raise money for a new performance and arts space, according to reports and an online fundraising page.

Buunni Coffee launched a Kickstarter Campaign in June with a goal to raise $25,000 to create a community arts space at its new location on Broadway between West 207th and Isham streets. If fully funded, the new space will feature LED lighting, a sound system, a removable platform that can function as a stage and a projection system, according to the fundraising page. The cafe partnered with art organization Zena Group and local yoga studio Bread & Yoga to create the fund.

The campaign will end on July 19, and Buunni will not receive any money unless the project is fully funded. As of this writing, the fund has raised more than $12,000 from more than 210 backers.

Buunni Coffee co-founder Sarina Prabasi told am New York, which first reported on the fundraising campaign, that the level of support for the fund has been inspiring.

"We are an immigrant-owned small business that has been really welcomed by the community, and we feel like this is a way for us to offer something we feel the community wants and would value," Prabasi told am New York.

The groups behind the fundraiser envision the new space as a resource to Upper Manhattan's local artists. Projects from various artistic mediums such as live music and dance, fine arts, literature readings and theater could be held at the space. The space could also be used for lectures and workshops, according to the fundraising page.

Check out the Kickstarter page here.