02/01/2018
After almost two-and-a-half great years of coffee, conversations and friendships, it is with deep regret I announce we are closing The Mug Coffee Co. on the 12th.
There are a lot of things I could say; there are a lot of things I’d like to say. But for now, allow me to simply say, thank you.
Thank you to the wonderful group of core regular guests who've allowed us to pursue our dream and to introduce folks in Rolling Meadows to premium third wave coffee.
We’ve had the privilege of sharing many life events with so many of you. Births, deaths, graduations, study sessions, exams, arrivals and departures. Getting to know each of you has been our honor. After all, that is what we’re here for community. And it has made all the difference to our mission of impacting lives for the better through coffee.
We still believe in our concept. Unfortunately, dynamics beyond our control were ultimately too much to survive. But I’m choosing not to focus on the negative. A lot of good happened over two years.
We hosted the first ever church service with Quest Church, working together through both the best and worst of times. We donated to student events at local high schools. We did our part to support the long running Arlington Heights Poetry Project. Brooke & Company was kind enough to host events in our space and inspire us with young folks putting their talents to work. We were the first coffee shop in Rolling Meadows to not only sell coffee, but, to make community a cornerstone of our concept.
I don’t rattle these things off to be braggadocios but rather to show each of you what you helped achieve. Together we made an impact.
What I saw was a small coffee bar as a place of coming together for people of all different backgrounds and make ups. I knew this, not because of outward appearance, but rather because of conversations I’d had with the guests. There were straight, gay, and trans-folks. There was one table having a Christian Bible study and literally another table reading the Koran. There were African-American, Caucasian, Latino, and Asian folks. There were people of all ages, and it struck me – this is what America is about. Or, at least it should be.
We’re a country founded on the idea that all men (people) are created equal and should be free to pursue their dreams. We are a country of immigrants, and we are at our best when we pause and reflect, listen to one another, and focus on what unites us while respecting those things which make us unique as individuals.
Coffee has the power bring people together and to empower people to rise. It’s my hope The Mug Coffee Co. has been a small part of doing this. Keep ‘liking’ us on Facebook, and we’ll keep posting updates of where we might ‘pop up’ next as we keep up the search for a new location.
On behalf of The Mug Coffee Co. team, thank you.
All the best,
Hussein Koshak
The Mug Coffee Co. Owner
