ModernTribe Needs Temporary Space Oct-Dec 2012

Dear ModernTribe customers, friends, and family,

As the summer is coming to an end very fast (school starts in 10 days?!), ModernTribe is figuring out its options for Holiday 2012.

We've Outgrown Our Basement

Last Hanukkah was -- Ridiculously Uncool -- in our basement warehouse. There is just not enough space for all the cool stuff we sell... and there is more uncool on top of that:

Because of zoning laws in Atlanta, we can only have myself + one person working at any given time. This resulted in ModernTribe having "shifts" -- including an overnight shift -- with a guy working through the night... in my house.

Even with our Hanukkah Elf, we still had trouble keeping up with the volume of packages. We did it -- (and kept our terrific customer service rating on Google). However, the holiday was grueling for me, my employees, and my family.

Our Basement Warehouse... it is no joke... but it is not enough for the Holidays.

It's not As Simple As You Think

"If you are growing... why not just move into a warehouse?"

Typical of small businesses, we are having growing pains. At this point, only during the holiday season can we afford to pay rent on a 3rd party space. It could be that we find a warehouse that allows enough in-store sales that we can keep the 3rd party space. However, this is an unknown, and there is a significant financial risk of signing a long-term lease.

Putting our Request out into the Universe

This is what we need:

A mixed-use space on Dekalb Ave would be ideal.

• At least 1300 square feet, street level -- allowing us to load and unload.
• At most, a short-term lease of 6 months maximum. We'd prefer Sept-January. 
• We must be moved in, drop dead, by October 1.
• Located on the East side of Atlanta, Downtown to Decatur.
• Ideal -- to reach our core market -- is on Dekalb Avenue.

What we do not need:

• Buildout -- we will require little to none.
• Fanciness -- we'd prefer a big open space with concrete floors and brick walls.

Added Benefit to the Intown Atlanta Jewish Community is an Experiment with a Jewish Third Place

Beyond allowing ModernTribe to continue the successful (albeit small), growing business, this will test the feasibility of having a permanent 3rd party warehouse and showroom.

Depending on the location of the space, we'd like to have a small showroom attached to the warehouse and sell to the public. We know there is an opportunity to offer the growing intown Jewish community a place to buy Jewish gifts + fresh challah on Fridays. We need to know how big is this opportunity. (Where do you get your fresh challah intown Jews?)

Who May Have Such A Space?

• Real-estate owners with unrented property
• Business owners who have extra space
• Business owners trying to get out of a lease
• You?

We appreciate your help. Serious leads, please write me at Jennie@ModernTribe.com

About ModernTribe

Through retail websites and new product development, ModernTribe is making Judaica appealing to the new generation. ModernTribe is a social enterprise with missions of (1) providing products that help people express and share their Jewish identity (or for non-Jews, express their Jewish affinity), (2) providing appealing, effective marketplaces for independent American and Israeli artists and designers and (3) building community through the retail experience.

Announcing the Winners of the Moms & Atzmaut Contest & Giveaway

 ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS

The winner of the contest is Amy Seligman with her Moms and Atzmaut Pinterest Board with her diverse use of pins and creative in choices of what to show (images, products, concepts, etc), beautiful board, and nice integration of ModernTribe. Amy wins $100 gift certificate and a "Keep Calm Love Israel" gift pack!

Preview of Amy's Board:

Winners of the $25 gift certificates from ModernTribe: Thank you to all ModernTribers who Pinned, Tweeted, and Liked! We are giving away TWO gift certificates chosen at random using a random number generator and then finding the corresponding social share. The winners are: Kimberley Alexander McIlwrath and Amanda Martin.

Moms & Atzmaut Fun & Giveaways

Thank you to our Facebook friends for suggesting we combine Yom Haatzmaut (Israel Independence Day) and Mother's Day for some new-fashioned social-media fun and giveaways.

TWO WAYS TO WIN

(1) BEST PIN BOARD on Pinterest

The Grand Prize will be given to the person who makes the best Pin Board on Pinterest with the theme of Israel Independence and Moms. Interpret it as you wish: best Israeli products for independent moms OR images that represent independent Israeli women OR historical women who helped Israel's independence OR Israeli women who create awesome Judaica... or ??? Be creative!

A panel of judges will select the winner based on:

1. Concept: the connection between independence, Israel, and mom or women
2. Beauty: the aesthetic look of your Pin Board
3. Creative integration of ModernTribe

The winner of the best Moms & Atzmaut Pinterest Board will win the "Keep Calm" package including the Keep Calm and Love Israel Tote Bag, Mug, and Magnet, a $100 Gift Certificate to ModernTribe.com, and announcement in an upcoming ModernTribe newsletter.

Steps to Entering Your Board

1. Create Your Board
2. Repin the Contest Image onto Your Board
3. When Finished, Share Your Board on ModernTribe's Facebook Page

(2) #MOMATZ Social Share SWEEPSTAKES

We've just made it super easy for you to Pin and share with our new larger ShareThis buttons on every product page.

For every 50 people who social share from ModernTribe, we will give away a $25 gift certificate to ModernTribe (with a max of 8). Enter as many times as you wish... each social share is an entry and will increase your odds of winning.

Track-able Social Shares include:

• "Liking" ModernTribe on Facebook (if you don't already)
• "Sharing" this contest or a ModernTribe product from ModernTribe's Facebook page.
• "Pinning" a ModernTribe product on Pinterest
• "Re-Pinning" a ModernTribe product from the Mom & Atzmaut Pin Board onto your pin board
• "Tweeting" a ModernTribe product or this contest
• "Re-Tweeting" someone's relevant Tweet
• Tag all shares with #MOMATZ so that we can find them!

If you are not yet a member of Pinterest and you'd like to be -- let us know and we will invite you.

Rules:

Contest begins Tuesday, April 24th at 9AM EST and ends Thursday, May 3rd at noon EST. Winners will be notified no later than Wednesday, May 9th midnight EST. No purchase is required to enter. A maximum of eight (8) $25 gift certificates to ModernTribe.com will be given away in the sweepstakes. This contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada ages 18+.