Shops are great, they sell products that are made by companies that I invest in!

If it's your first business, then the issue may just be a matter of learning curve--in which case, "stretching out the process" is exactly what's needed. Granted, some folks would fail even if they had a year's bank ready to roll, because they give away product on the cheap, or are their own biggest customers (this is not just a bad idea for drug dealers), or because they alienate everyone by allowing Cat-Piss Man to shop there. I won't deny that.

But for many folks, it really does come down to learning curve. And having a significant monthly payment (really, two, since you're also talking about a lease) is going to factor heavily into just how long you have to figure out all the complexities.

I disagree with the many part. Most business that fail were doomed at the outset. Bad location, bad concept, poor business plan execution, legal violations... you name it. Most people who start businesses like the idea of owning a business more than actually owning one. Most new business owners will never develop their skills to the point of running a sustainable concern, no matter how much of a head start you give them.

In fact, of you gave many wannabes a free building and no debt, they'd still blow it eventually. A few might wise up if you stretched things out. But I believe it's a few, not many, and certainly not most.

I see kickstarter donations as supporting a cause that I might benefit from. I'm giving away the money as a gift, in hopes that a person who has a great idea might succeed. If they do succeed, I may benefit somehow. I might get a game, or have something named after me, or what have you.

I don't see Kickstarter as a loan, nor as a pre-order, although sometimes it effectively functions as such. Sometimes I benefit directly, sometimes society as a whole benefits or at least I have a perception that it will. If I think that benefit is worth my hard-earned cash, I contribute. If not, I stay away.

I think it all comes down to whether a geek bar has any percieved benefit to you, and what that benefit is worth. If its worth nothing to you, then you're only left with the personal benefits of the kickstarter tiers, which seem kinda "meh".

Well, this didn't work

All they've got to do is get $45000 in two minutes. No biggie, right?

Oh wait, correction. It's over. No bar.

They've said on their facebook that the Kickstarter failed but the project isn't dead.

Hopefully they can get a loan.

Kickstarter seems like a clunky venue for something so local.

Agreed. I didn't think about that, but you're absolutely right.