After The Grind

After The Grind After The Grind is a Community Centered-Globally Minded not-for-profit business located in Blackfald What if a coffee shop could change the world?

We don't want to just make good coffee, we desire to be a catalyst for positive change within our community and beyond. We are involved in numerous community minded programs here in town such as; the Food Bank, Food for School, the Christmas Bureau, Tools for School, Winter Warmth, and more. Added to the local initiatives we have an international focus as well; First Steps (providing nutrition to

North Korean orphans), selling products that directly support females within the nations of Ghana, India, and Thailand, as well as hosting fundraisers to support natural disasters in multiple locations over the years. We are also involved in helping people become educated to social and justice needs around the globe. This has been accomplished by hosting independent films, the discussion and debates around 'Fair Trade', as well as helping people understand the importance they hold to create change through the dynamic of purchasing power.

11/11/2021

Well, I guess it is time to post this. After having tried 4 times since January to reopen, a final blow came and pushed that possibility out of reach. The business/building have been sold and After the Grind will not be reopening as such.

It has been quite a journey, and certainly the last bit has taken its toll on me, but thank you Blackfalds for 13 pretty memorable years. I have spent much time reflecting and recalling countless stories and people that have warmed my heart during this stressful decision and time. The shop, with all its regulars and friends stopping in, has been greatly missed.

I'm sad to see it end, we had been talking and planning some pretty crazy and life-giving/changing things, but the operational stress just became insurmountable. I'm pleased the shop went into some very good hands, and I look forward to seeing where things go from here.

There is a lot I would love to say and share, but I'll end with once again saying THANK YOU to all those who ventured inside and became part of the community development heart of After the Grind!

Chris

05/03/2021

Good evening, it has been quite some time since I have posted anything, and to be honest these times have caused me to procrastinate due anxiety and nervousness of a re-open. However, I can not remain in that place. I have been working on revamping the menu and changing things up that are cost effective and practical during these uncertain times for small businesses. After all this, I find myself short on volunteers and this is the last hurdle to a re-open. So if you, or someone you know, is interested in being part of a community based volunteer initiative, please contact me! We are just beginning some new community development ideas, so it is a great time to become involved and help impact and change lives, both here in our own community as well as less fortunate nations.
I look forward to hearing from those interested!

Chris

01/06/2021

I want to thank everyone that has reached out regarding our possible re-open. Reality is a re-open is very difficult given the situation we all find ourselves in, so I am trying my best to navigate what could be, what is, and what might be...
We all know there is no clear answer. So as much as I have been optimistic,. done renovations, hope for best,.... I just don't know. There's my honest response. I don't know if there is enough support in the community to help finance a re-open. I've already been carrying a lot personally, and how much more would a re-open put everything under?
Tough times for all of us.
I'm a resident, since 1975.

09/30/2020

Wow, time flies I guess when I look at our last update!
We have been busy with the Lunchbox program, and are happy to be continuing that service for at least the next little while. It is a great program to assist our community while times are tough, and we are providing some pretty amazing lunches as a result of great local collaborations.
Our aim is to reopen the shop fairly soon (within the next few weeks)! Since the start of school we have begun to send weekly box items home for families instead of doing the actual lunch prep, which is now allowing us us to do some needed fix-ups, as well as a new interior look.
We are really looking forward to inviting you back, and are planning something special for the re-open. It will be great to see you all again!

07/08/2020

It has been a while since our last update, and many inquiries as to when we will open. We are in a process of evaluation and restructuring in order to determine a re-open date. As for many small businesses that are vulnerable during this time, we are trying to work towards a time when we can re-open, and remain open. It is a difficult time, and for us to push a quick open would most likely result in a quick and permanent close, which we are trying to avoid. We recognize, and empathize, that many are undergoing physical, emotional, and financial hardships; businesses also face challenges when their community does. We want to be here for the community, not just to serve coffee and make money, but to continue to do what we have for over a decade, serve this community. So our doors remain closed as we continue to operate the Lunchbox program for children facing food insecurity, this will continue until the end of August. During this time, there is extensive evaluation of when, and how, to re-open ATG in light of all the changes we have seen in the community. We are very grateful for the ongoing support we have experienced, and REALLY look forward to offering a London Fog or Vanilla Latte to you all in the near future.
Thank you,
Chris.

05/14/2020

Regarding Alberta's re-opening practices, After the Grind is planning to remain closed until further notice. Since mid-March, when we needed to close, we have been partnering with Blackfalds FCSS, and our local Food Bank, to provide a safe and healthy lunchbox program for children in need. As Alberta chooses to re-open, we have decided to keep the shop closed, in order to continue to provide a safe and sanitary location to prepare and distribute lunches to children facing food insecurity matters. As many local, small town businesses express, we miss our regular and faithful friends coming in, but we also recognize our ongoing desire to exist for the broader community of Blackfalds. There will be more updates to follow as things progress.

Quick update, while none of us know exactly what the future holds, we keep trying to do our best while we are still here...
04/29/2020

Quick update, while none of us know exactly what the future holds, we keep trying to do our best while we are still here. The Lunchbox program is going well and has continual increase in need. Recently, generous funding from Wolf Creek Public School Division has enabled us to add weekly breakfast assistance. So grateful for their support!
Stay strong Blackfalds! After 12 years of serving this town, our hope is to continue providing support and community development for many more.

1st week of the Lunchbox program is a wrap, doing what we can to help children facing food insecurity here in our town. ...
04/04/2020

1st week of the Lunchbox program is a wrap, doing what we can to help children facing food insecurity here in our town. All done with great partnerships, generous donations, and of course all the regulations, including physical distancing, in practice. We are proud to be a part of this community!

Well, the sad news is that today we finally had to say we couldn't keep the doors open any longer while this virus mayhe...
03/24/2020

Well, the sad news is that today we finally had to say we couldn't keep the doors open any longer while this virus mayhem is going on. We appreciate all our loyal customers and look forward to serving you once again when the chaos subsides.
However, as I mentioned in my last post, this doesn't mean we will stop working to enhance the community. In the uncertainty of COVID-19, ATG has good news to share...
We are partnering with FCSS and the Food Bank to assist low-income families and those most vulnerable, the children in need. We are trying to do our part by setting up a healthy and nutritious lunch with snack program, available to the children.

03/21/2020

We are a community minded, globally focussed business operated by volunteers. With the current global situation, we want you to know that we are working out details that emphasize our community focus in the next little while. We have always recognized and responded to needs within our community and province, this time is no exception.
There will be more specific details to come within the next few days, we look forward to being apart of this community for the long game.

03/20/2020

There will be no Games Night until further notice.

03/19/2020

We are still open on limited hours right now, sorry for any inconvenience but I think everyone understands. Thursdays we will be closing at 2pm, instead of being open until 9pm. There will be more updates to follow as we try to be sensitive to our customers as well as the health concerns. Stay safe, keep your distance, drink your coffee...

Address

4911 Broadway Avenue
Blackfalds, AB
T0M0J0

Telephone

+14038852560

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when After The Grind posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category