TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- Our look at crowd funding sites continues with a business that used Kickstarter to help preserve a piece of history.
January 2012 brought a blast from the past to Lofty Pursuits in Tallahassee, one that's still bringing sweet treats more than a century later.
For Greg Cohen, candy isn't just a special treat - it's truly a way of life.
He's always dreamed of creating candy the way it was first made, but as the equipment changed, and soon almost disappeared, technology took away that taste.
"When candy went to automation, it lost its flavor. It lost a lot of its charm, and it lost a lot of its technique... and equipment," said Cohen, owner of Lofty Pursuits.
Almost three years ago, Cohen finally had the chance to bring some of that 19th century candy machinery to the Capital City. So he turned to Kickstarter - and the community - for help.
"I had a lot of social reasons, ethical reasons, reasons that made sense, but the finances didn't work. So I was able to ask the people who cared and see if they would help me... and I did," said Cohen
Cohen was able to raise over $7,000 - more than enough to buy the equipment.
And while the candy campaign helped him fulfill a lifelong dream, it's those who back Kickstarter projects that truly make the difference.
"This is what makes locally owned businesses different, and the Kickstarter project was just an outpouring of a way that. They could invest in the future of their lofty pursuits so that I could be here when their kids come," said Cohen.
You can see the antique machinery in action every Saturday at Lofty Pursuits on Timberlane Road in Tallahassee.
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