It feels like it’s never been more difficult to run a local coffee company.

It’s easy to get discouraged.

But I’m wired differently.

I’m the type to return to my values and reasons why, rather than let the things outside of my control grind me down.

So I thought I’d share the story of why I do what I do and why I named my business New Love Coffee.

I started my first shift as a barista at the corporate green mermaid back in February of 2005. I couldn’t tell you what the drink special was that month, my best guess is soy milk was the only alternative milk, and I have no idea what my favorite coffee drink was.

And for years, it wasn’t the roasted coffee that stuck out to me.

But I remember the people!

I remember Bob who came weekly in his wheel chair to enjoy a pastry and a drip coffee with cream and 2 raw sugars.

I remember Janet who paid with gold dollar coins that she liked to get when she bought postage stamps.

I remember Mike, who is now my mortgage agent.

I remember Heather as she studied for her college degree for endless afternoons.

I remember Akaash who nerded out about coffee and found his way to working for an international espresso machine company.

I remember Aaron who nerded his way into being an integral part of Roast House.

I remember Tiffany who I ended up marrying (and makes our fabulous pies).

I remember co-workers like Joni, Sara, Michale, Ben, Ashley, Brooke, Ashley, Melissa, Dylan, Janae, Connie, Alyssa, Amir, Tyler, Anthony, Quirstle, Ben, Emily, Bobby (Founder of Indaba), Nathan, Sunshine, Amy, Chelsey, Jeremy, Kevin, Katie, and many more!

I remember getting to know regulars, daily conversations, and the joy of being surrounded daily by people!

I like coffee. And on some dark, cold wintery mornings I desperately need it.

But I love the people!

Coffee means community to me.

Always has and always will.

Yes, I think serving great coffee and pie makes the joy of community that much sweeter.

But it’s the community and the people that really drives why I do what I do.

A coffee shop isn’t your home, your office, or even really your third place (sorry Howard Schultz)… it’s your coffee shop!

And a coffee shop means community.

It’s not perfect and like some journeys through community, mine included that I burned out 9 years ago. I thought I was never gonna drink coffee or work in a coffee shop again.

But I couldn’t stay away and it wasn’t the coffee that brought me back. It was the people and community. I returned to what I always loved about coffee and it became a new love for me.

That’s why it’s New Love Coffee!

It’s named after my story of loving something, burning out, then remembering why I ever loved it in the first place.

And I’m constantly remembering that I have to keep that value at the center of why I do what I do.

So that’s why I say coffee means community at New Love, because that’s a central value to why we do what we do.

Community and coffee—coffee and community!

Those two things intertwined are New Love for me, because it’s what I always loved and still love about coffee shops.

And I hope whatever brings you into your neighborhood New Love coffee shop you feel our passion for coffee and community.

So ask the barista their name and tell them your name. It’s your coffee shop!

It’s a place with great coffee and delicious pie, but it’s a place full of community.

And I remind myself of that when things get hard or discouraging.

So thank you for supporting New Love and being a part of our community.

With sincerest gratitude,

Ike