(Before) Top Dead Center - Founders Club
TDC Promo Draft
A Winter Project
Hello Fellow Moto’ers,
As you may know, the Backfire MotoBar on Aurora has closed its doors for good.
First: the event itself WILL continue this Spring. However, as of January, we’ve teamed up with BFMB to take the old Moto International building back to its Euro motor roots and reopen better than ever - this new venture - Top Dead Center - will be a coffee/bar with more room, more bikes and more events. Our projected opening is in Mid-March 2025, and you can expect:
- Work spaces
- Comfy lounging chairs and couches
- Motoring art and racing memorabilia
- Our favorite PNW roasters (can’t say yet)
- Cold brew, Vietnamese drip coffee
- Tasty treats (we got a guy…)
- Adult beverages
- and an updated Retail and Gallery/Event space.
If you’ve found this page, chances are you’d like to help, and we’re going to need it. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR DONATIONS. Like any project we’ve brought into our respective garages, it’s going to need the resources of Space, Money and Time. We have the space and just enough money to be bold, but what we don’t have a lot of, is time (more money is good, too. let’s be honest). And most of those garage projects probably came to life in no small part to like-minded wrenchers who have more experience and/or idle hands. So, in preparation for this daunting task, we’re launching an opportunity for people to get involved and help make it all the more reflective of the moto community on whom this place will be focused.
We have pretty well-rounded skillsets, but as we are a skeleton crew, YOUR EXPERTISE and HANDS are needed. There will be a fair amount of painting, finishing, carpentry, welding, plumbing, video editing and graphic design work to be done and we’re calling on the Seattle moto community to use their skills Before Top Dead Center (see what I did there?), up to (and including!) our anticipated soft-opening.
So for folks who can come help out in these expertise areas, or even just come sling a paintbrush and help barn-raise, we’re launching our BEFORE TOP DEAD CENTER (BTDC) FOUNDERS CLUB.
BTDC Founders Club
To kickstart our efforts, I hope to call on those local like-minded folks who want a hand in building this destination. In short, the cost of a 2-year membership to the Founders Club is Time or Money.
Time: We’re asking anyone with the skills above (or a pulse) to come help out and give at least 20 hours to the cause in exchange for a BTDC membership.
Money: We’re offering the same membership perks of the BTDC Founders Club for a $500 kickstart/buy-in
While we may explore some sort of membership model later, this club is a one-time shot. We will not be offering it to customers later on, and I think it’s a preeeetty good deal. I suppose we could leverage an After TDC club, but the pun gets a little weak and it wouldn’t be as helpful.
As part of the BTDC Founders Club, you’ll get some perks:
Grand Opening / ASAP:
A gift box with the best coffee and moto gear ~$50+ value
Private Preview /Thank You Party
_________
For 2 full years:
10% off drinks and retail*
Discounted rate for private events
Priority Motorcycle parking!!**
_________Forever and Ever
New product previews
Early access to ticketed events - panels, presos, tech days
Member voting and feedback channel - For big questions like, should it be Top Dead Center or Centre..?
Name placement on our BTDC Founders Club area - in the shop and the website
and more perks as we move into next stages of building out the back space
Our intention is to grant the second set of discount perks above for 2 full years and the access/communication perks in the third list in perpetuity, as we hope this effort will actually benefit the PNW motoring community and evolve to be an awesome waypoint. It’s an optimistic timeline, but possible. Please reach out if you have any questions or feedback as we get ramped up. We’re excited to get under way, it’s going to be great.
Sincerely,
Andy
Q/A
Q: “What do I have to do to be one of these prestigious Founders??”
A: There are two ways to support and be part of the Founders Club - Time or Money.
Time: We’re asking anyone with the skills above (or a pulse) to come help out and give at least 20 hours to the cause in exchange for a BTDC membership. Days, nights, weekends.. whatever you can spare, we’ll probably be there.
Money: We’re offering the same membership perks of the BTDC Founders Club for a $500 kickstart/buy-in
Q: “Can I do both? Some money and some time?”
A: Sure! Reach out, let’s talk.
Q: “What do you need the most help with?”
A: Finishing and carpentry will be the most pressing projects early on. There is no major construction (read: no permitting needed), but we’ll be putting up some sheetrock and rebuilding the existing bar. I have my truck and van, but will need a couple warm bodies with big vehicles to go pick up the odd chair or help move a couch if needed. I’ll need some video editing later in February, and some digital design work also. Are you a sign painter? Let’s be friends.
Q: “Why do you need money?”
A: We’ve raised funds and projected a squeaker of a budget that should get us to the finish line. The funds we’ll raise with BTDC will go into the kitty to support the Founders Club and help us ward off any unforeseen expenses.
Q: “Aren’t there other similar places?”
A: Yes there are some awesome moto/coffee spots in Seattle and we remain fans. Our ultimate focus is on the historical and family-oriented legacy of Euro motorsports as well as the retail and gallery components.
Q: “Are you hiring?”
A: We’ll be taking on some part time help nearer to opening - reach out if you’d like to chat or know someone.
Q: “I have a question you didn’t think of.”
A: Reach out to our temporary email: topdeadcentercafe@gmail.com
Q: What are all the things that need to be done?
A: Everything from Art-hanging to Wallpaper
Q: I saw some *’s on the perks above, what’s that about?
A: *Drink and retail discounts available for 2 years and may exclude items that go on clearance or are offered at limited availability. 10% applies to coffee, beer drinks, and pastries, but as we are waiting to confirm other food options, we may not be able to discount things offered by partners that we bring in. For example, if a food truck sits outside - we will not provide a discount for their products. ** Indoor/Priority Parking is on a first-come-first-served basis.
Update: We’ve already gotten some questions, so I’ve added some additional Q&A’s below.
