BEM | books & more

Bookstore and culinary hub dedicated to global Black storytelling and foodways

INVESTMENT TERMS
Promissory Note
Profit share -- promissory note with annual profit share; 1.3x multiple; 70/30 split in investors’ favor until principal is returned; 80/20 split in BEM’s favor until multiple is reached; investors expected to recoup within 5 years

Highlights

1
phased brick & mortar opening beginning Oct 2025 after ~5 years of online & mobile operations
2
56% increase in YOY revenues 2024-2025
3
press including NPR, Bon Appétit, Washington Post, Eater, the Drew Barrymore Show, and more
4
100+ events hosted featuring top chefs & authors

Team

Fundraising To Optimize New Brick & Mortar Location

BEM | books & more transcends retail to explore, promote, and preserve Black food literature. Our mission is to steward knowledge of Black foodways, thereby expanding the canon and providing a hub for our communities to see themselves on the page and on the plate.

As a mission-driven for-profit, we've built a dynamic and diverse business model that allows us to 1) stay nimble and 2) offer a range of entry points for new and recurring customers. Our book and product retail, café/bar, and kitchen generate distinct but related revenue streams for our growing business.

We're currently raising to complete a phased buildout of our retail and kitchen space and for general operating funds.


We need a brick & mortar BEM Books... Gabrielle & Danielle are doing something amazing for the culture and for us.


~ Dr. Jessica B. Harris, culinary historian and author of High On The Hog: A Culinary Journey From Africa to America



373 Lewis Ave, Brooklyn NY

After an extended real estate journey, we signed a lease on our ideal home for BEM's next phase. We're situated on a corner in bustling Stuyvesant Heights amongst fellow small businesses and local destinations. Our new home boasts:

  • a commercial kitchen for culinary programming of all kinds
  • an 8-minute walk to an express subway station and proximity to several bus routes
  • Brooklyn Public Library and CitiBike across the street
  • a patio for outdoor dining and an edible garden
BEM Co-Founders At Pre-Opening Gathering at 373 Lewis Avenue. Photo by Clay Williams



Press & Partners

BEM has partnered with a wide range of individual authors and chefs, companies, nonprofits, and educational institutions. In addition to bookselling opportunities, we have also served as curators and/or producers for a range of events, festivals, conferences, and experiences. Explore our press & partner list here.

Recently, we were featured on This Is TASTE, a food media podcast from Matt Rodbard and Aliza Abarbanel. Listen to our conversation with Aliza here.


Pitch Deck Highlights

Overview