Travail Kickstarter, Week Two: $192,698

Today begins week two of the still-climbing Travail Kickstarter campaign, now making national news. After an epic first week, it's up to 846 backers and $192,698 pledged as of 1:40 p.m. on Monday, including 306 backers at the $250 level, 100 backers at the now sold-out $500 level, and 33 backers at the $1,000 level. (No backers yet at the $5,000 level.)

With more than an $100,000 surplus beyond the Kickstarter's $75,000 goal (and still more to come), the Travailians have started thinking about what to do with their extra funds. Chef and co-owner Mike Brown told Eater National that they'll finish building the restaurant first, and then use surplus for specialty equipment (Rotovaps, blast chillers); the team is also discussing ways to provide better employee health insurance, setting up a non-profit cooking school for disadvantaged teens, and building a test kitchen.
· Travail Kickstarter [Kickstarter]
· Is Kickstarter the Future of Restaurant Financing? [EN]
· All Coverage of Travail [Eater MPLS]