A modern-classic French pâtisserie and café in Manhattan, Maison Rouge offers refined, handcrafted desserts in a warm, timeless setting. Our focus is on signature éclairs, mousse-based cakes, and elegant packaging — designed for both everyday indulgence and upscale gifting.
The boutique will blend authentic craftsmanship with a contemporary hospitality model, located in a high-footfall, design-conscious neighborhood.
Market Opportunity
We conducted a comprehensive survey of the high-end dessert market in Manhattan — and discovered a clear gap
Market polarization
The market is polarized between cheap, low-quality offerings and overpriced products with mediocre execution
Free mid-premium desserts market
There is no dominant player in the mid-premium space offering beautiful, high-quality pastries at a fair price.
Strong demand for classic ambiance
Most cafés lean heavily into minimalist/industrial interiors. However, New Yorkers are increasingly drawn to warm, elegant, “Instagrammable” interiors with personality — evidenced by constant queues at classically designed cafés like Ralph’s Coffee.
Market demand matching
Maison Rouge fills this gap: beautiful, elevated and fair-priced desserts in a romantic, European-style café that never goes out of fashion.
Why Now
Market growing
NYC’s dessert and gifting market is valued at $5.4B+, and continues to grow steadily.
01
Market demand
Customers increasingly seek experiential brands, handcrafted products, and emotional connection — not just convenience.
02
Reliable model
With the resurgence of in-person dining, premium neighborhood boutiques are consistently outperforming standardized chains in both customer loyalty and check averages
03
Investment Ask
We are seeking to raise $200,000–$400,000 in early-stage investment to fund:
Lease ($40,000-$50,000)
Lease acquisition in one of the following target neighborhoods: SoHo, Chelsea, Tribeca, West Village, Flatiron, Upper East Side
Renovation ($50,000-$150,000)
Renovation and design of a ~1,000–2,000 sq ft café and production space
Equipment ($50,000-$200,000)
Equipment (pre-owned or brand new) purchase and installation, packaging orders abroad.
Starting capital ($20,000-$30,000)
Working capital for opening inventory, staffing, and initial marketing
Equipment list
Bakery Deck Oven
$8,000 for Pre-owned - $25,000 for Brand new
Blast Chiller
$5,000 for Pre-owned - $15,000 for Brand new
Freezer 2-door
$2,500 for Pre-owned - $6,000 for Brand new
Fridge 2-door
$2,500 for Pre-owned - $6,000 for Brand new
Coffee Machine
$11,000 for Pre-owned - $30,000 for Brand new
Coffee Grinder
$3,000 for Pre-owned - $4,000 for Brand new
Commercial Mixer
$5,000 for Pre-owned - $10,000 for Brand new
Financial Snapshot
We work hard every day to make life of our clients better and happier
Target monthly sales
Target monthly sales (Year 1): $90K–$120K
Gross margin
Gross margin: ~70%+ on pastry items
Break-even point
Break-even point: within 6-8 months
Primary revenue channels
Primary revenue channels: in-store café, takeaway, local delivery, gift boxes, catering/wholesale
We’re proud to introduce the core team behind Maison Rouge — a dedicated group bringing this vision to life with passion, precision, and hands-on experience.
Valeriia Saprina
Founder
A European-trained pastry chef with hands-on experience under renowned chefs including Cédric Grolet, Pierre Hermé, and Jordi Roca. Her desserts reflect classical French technique elevated through modern aesthetics. She leads product development, quality control, and creative direction.
Alexey Saprin
Founder
A seasoned entrepreneur with a background in both technology and hospitality. He successfully built and exited multiple ventures, including a European-style restaurant in Colorado Springs. He brings expertise in business operations, finance, and strategic growth. He will oversee operations, fundraising, and investor relations.