Kickstarter campaign targets Agnes’ Bake Shop’s second rise

A Kickstarter campaign has been launched to bring back the now-shuttered Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop in Kailua.

Kawehi Haug and Kim Potter of Let Them Eat Cupcakes, launched the Kickstarter campaign aiming to raise $55,000 to revive the bake shop.

“As born-and-bred Kailuans, we were saddened by the news that our town’s beloved Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop — a staple in our community for almost 50 years — would be closing its doors,” they said in the campaign. “We just couldn’t imagine a Kailua without Agnes. So, we put our heads together, and with Agnes’ owner Non Demello’s blessing, our family of professional bakers (and yes, we ARE Portuguese!), along with help and training from Non, are going to bring back Agnes’!”

The popular Kailua bakery announced that it was closing, after nearly 50 years in business, at 2 p.m. on Jan. 28. A long line of customers flooded the bakery in the early morning in its last week to buy dozens of boxes of malasadas.

At the time, Demello gave customers a small hint of future plans. “Don’t be surprised if another Agnes’ pops up.”

Their plan to revive Agnes’ is laid out in three phases — first, to purchase the license for the name, logo, website and recipes for Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop and second, to find a new space for the bake shop.

The lease for the space at 46 Hoolai St. has ended, so the pair is planning to sell the malasadas from a food truck in Kailua. Thirdly, the pair hopes to open a new brick-and-mortar retail location for Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop in Kailua.

“We want to create a warm and inviting place where we can continue the Agnes’ legacy for our keiki,” they said in their campaign.

As of this morning, the campaign had $716 from 13 backers.

For a pledge of $25 or more, supporters will get exclusive access to VIP deals and an “I Helped Saved the ‘Sadas” sticker plus two free malasadas and super secret events e-mails. For a pledge of $50 or more, supporters get an exclusive “I Helped Save the ‘Sadas” T-shirt, a “#POCHOSTRONG” unofficial motto sticker, half a dozen malasadas, access to VIP deals and super secret events e-mails. For a pledge of $100 or more, supporters get their name on a limited edition box for one year, the T-shirt, a “Dough-Nor” tote bag, the sticker, plus a dozen malasadas, access to VIP deals and super secret events via e-mail.

The space of the former Agnes’ Portuguese Bake Shop is reportedly slated for the Beet Box Cafe, according to Kailua residents, an organic and vegetarian eatery that currently has one location in Haleiwa.