Celebrating Community & Creativity at The Place to BE

B(ry): “Hey Em, what are you doing?”

E(m): “Thinking about how dragonflies can fly in every direction—forward, backward, sideways, even hover. Isn’t that wild?”

B: “It is wild. But what does that have to do with anything?”

E: “Everything. Dragonflies are adaptable, just like us.”

B: “Speaking of adaptability, guess what— we’ve been asked to write an article about The Place to BE!”

E: “Wait, WHAT? And you let me ramble about dragonflies?!”

B: “Yeah, well, your dragonfly TED Talk was fun! Anyway, we’ve got 1800 words to tell our story.”

E: “1800 words? That’s a lot of words…and you think in emojis half the time! How are we pulling this off?”

B: “Easy—we’ll tell the story of our café & society that’s as unique as we are.”

E: “Let’s do it!”

This is the next part

Ahoy fellow Kingstonian! You weren’t supposed to see that. If you’ve made it this far, we’re confident we’ve got you hooked! And it only took about 150 words! So before we lose you, we’re asking for your help…it will be FUN!

All you have to do is tick your boxes, snap a photo and email us at youwanttobe@theplacetobesociety.com

• Want to invest or join our executive team?

• Want to contribute to our Crowdfunder campaign?

• Want to hire our space for your next company event?

• Need a creative place to record content?

• Looking for fun & creative teambuilding outings that don’t involve axes or escaping?

• Want to offer your products or services in exchange for marketing support or team discounts?

• Want to offer vouchers or discounts for our ‘Kingston Local’ book, available to Crowdfunder backers and society members?

• Need some luxury dessert catering from Em for Macaron for your next event?

• Just want to make new friends & chat?

The part where we tell you more about us, B(ry) & E(m) - Co-Captains @ The Place to BE

All our business consultants & experts in the field told us ‘people invest in people’. Then they went on to tell us "To truly leverage the synergy between your innovative boat café, you’ll need to adopt agile best practices, focus on scalable ROI-driven strategies, empower a customer-centric culture fit, and move the needle with actionable insights— oh, and don’t forget to circle back on those low-hanging fruit for a win-win, game-changing paradigm shift."

So we’ve decided to ‘compromise’ and just tell you about us. We’re an adorable (and obviously very humble) soon-to-be-married couple based in Kingston. We love feeling connected to the planet we just happen to live on, we get very excited and inspired by big ideas, we enjoy bringing people together and creating shared experiences - in healthy & memorable ways.

Most of all - we just love to BE.

B(ry) - obsessed with water and boats, adventurous, doesn’t fear a big idea. Runs Paper Garden Records (@papergardenrecs - see page 34).

E(m) - passionate about crafts & making, gardening and nature, growing fresh produce and transforming it into delicious homemade meals. Founder of Em for Macaron (@em_for_macaron), delighting locals with French macarons made to order.

We thought, ‘how can our businesses connect, just like we did, and create something new with our shared values?’ So Em drew up a Venn diagram, popped in our passions and existing businesses, pointed at the middle where these all overlap, and named it The Place to BE. From there, ideas flowed, evolved into meaningful conversations, and quickly turned into plans!

Together we are the perfect sourdough starter - a little wild, a little cultured, and totally ready to rise!

About the place to be? It’s really all about you! This Is (Y)our SOCIETY!

This is our place - an extension of us, a physical space that embodies our values, passions and dreams, home to both Paper Garden Records and Em for Macaron. But this is your place too!

We’re more than just a café —we’re a society shaped by the people who bring it to life. This is a space to connect, share ideas, and create lasting memories. Whether it’s hosting an event, joining as a member, or simply sharing your thoughts, your involvement helps us grow into something truly special.

WHO: B(ry) & E(m) + ALL of us, together.

WHAT: A cafe & society - on a boat!

WHERE: Kingston, Town End Pier (w/ Turks)

WHEN: Launching in 2025

WHY: To bring people together / for our planet HOW: Through the power of community to make incredible things happen

Our inspiration comes from all over the world— shaped by travels, diverse cultures, and the unique blend of our backgrounds as an American and a Hungarian. Above all, it’s the human connections that fuel our vision. Our friends and families, each remarkable in their own fields and passions, are a constant source of inspiration and motivation. The Place to BE is a reflection of our "village," channeling the spirit of collaboration and the richness of these relationships into every aspect of what we do.

By supporting The Place to BE, you’re not just visiting—you’re building a home for creativity, conversation, and connection right here in Kingston.

The Place to BE’s story is yours. Let’s make something extraordinary, together!

What

We Do? We Are The Place to BE, Not A Place To Do!

Café

Wellbeing starts with the food we eat, and prioritising whole, organic ingredients is one of the best things we can do for ourselves. Em has thoughtfully designed a menu that reflects our commitment to health and nature, for both people and the planet, sourcing fresh ingredients from our local farmers and supporting sustainable practices.

We feature special menus, created in collaboration with guest chefs for limited times. Each visit offers a chance to savour healthy, vibrant meals, artisanal pastries, and specialty drinks.

The space is designed to inspire—warm, calming atmosphere with natural wood, lush greenery, and colourful, eclectic artwork by local artists. It’s a place to unwind, connect with your authentic self, and simply BE.

But what really makes The Place to BE…well…the place to BE? It’s a philosophy, a movement, and possibly the best excuse to hang out by the river. Whether you're here for the food, the vibes, or just to soak in the moment, we’ve got a spot waiting for you.

Earth

We’re rooted in sustainability, serving local, organic, seasonal dishes and drinks crafted with care for the planet. We aim to minimise imports, keep our carbon footprint in check, and extend our society’s reach to our local farmers/suppliers. From using local ingredients to minimising waste, we’re committed to green living.

Our menu is ever-evolving, much like nature itself. Most dishes will change with the seasons, celebrating the variety of nutrition each season brings on, ensuring the freshest ingredients, and aligning with our commitment to the planet. By embracing seasonality, we maintain meaningful, year-round collaborations with our farmers, supporting local agriculture.

Because what’s the point of building a better business if it doesn’t also help build a better planet?

Entertainment & Experiences

The Place to BE is your go-to spot for a good time! From live music and comedy to cinema nights, board games, art showings, and more, we bring you experiences that inspire, excite, and connect. But that's just the beginning.

Beyond entertainment, we also offer a wide variety of creative experiences, workshops and 'crafternoons' designed for all skill levels, including bread-making, macaron crafting, gardening, needlework, festive workshops, meditation, and more. Each experience is crafted to bring people together, foster new passions, and provide a wholesome, uplifting atmosphere.

Additionally, our stylish built-in stage makes the space ideal for private hire, whether for weddings, content creation, company holiday parties, or other memorable occasions.

The Place

Experience the magic of The Place to BE afloat! Our floating café, in partnership with Turks at Town End Pier, offers a unique atmosphere, where the tranquility of the water meets the joy of gathering on a boat, and celebrates the charm and creativity of Kingston in full.

As a unique community hub, it draws inspiration from Kingston’s rich history, an ancient centre of connection. We channel these roots, embodying what it means to be Kingstonian—creative, connected, and grounded—while fostering a space where ideas flourish and the community thrives. Here, you are the captain of your own ship.

Our commitment to Kingston is at the heart of everything we do. We collaborate with local businesses and entrepreneurs to source equipment, services, and expertise, and partner with local artists to infuse the space with unique design elements that reflect Kingston’s vibrant identity. From providing platforms for musicians and makers to showcasing the work of designers and artisans, we ensure that every corner of our space is a celebration of the local talent and entrepreneurial spirit that make Kingston unique. By supporting The Place to BE, you’re investing in a growing ecosystem of local businesses, artists, and makers, helping to strengthen the fabric of our community and inspire connections that last.

Here’s where we get SERIOUS

(but not too serious – that’s just not us)

The Place to BE isn’t just about Kingston. Over time, we envision a fleet of floating spaces both locally and globally - each tailored to its local community, but carrying the same heart and soul that started it all.

Our connection-focused, creativity-driven venture aligns seamlessly with the evolving values of modern society. Recent lifestyle trends highlight a growing desire for meaningful in-person connections, community-centered activities, and hands-on creative pursuits. Coupled with an increasing emphasis on healthier, more mindful consumption, The Place to BE offers the perfect environment to meet these needs.

By fostering a welcoming space that prioritizes thoughtful choices, The Place to BE is poised to become a sought-after destination for those looking to spend their free time in enriching, health-conscious, and community-oriented ways, both locally and globally.

Our mission, should you choose to accept it

Collaboration > Competition

The future is in our roots

Here to mix things up!

The society of Mother Earth

A heartfelt THANK YOU to our incredible early supporters, including Turks, Kingston Council, Kingston Chamber of Commerce, Kingston First, Kingston Charitable Foundation, Kingston University’s Department of Performing Arts, Visconti Studios, Fusebox, and Creative Youth. Your belief in this vision has been instrumental in bringing it to life.

This

is

The Last Part

B: “How’d we do, Em? Did we mention we need everyone's help to get this off the ground?”

E: Yep, a few times I think!

B: I don’t think we used enough emojis.

E: Yeah, you’re probably right.

Word count = 1778. Emoji count = 253. THE END. FIN. CUT.

Connect Website: www.theplacetobesociety.com

Instagram: @theplacetobe_society

Email: youwanttobe@theplacetobesociety.com