06/28/2026
STEPHENS KIDDOS
We did the math today and realized that this shop has been part of our kids' lives for almost as long as it hasn't π₯²
The twins, for example, were just freshly turned six when we opened, and they're 10.5 this month. Railey (8) was a bouncing four years old, and Hanley (6) was just two π
It has been hard work, and they've all been running around, behind the scenes, as we've struggled to pull thru the delays, the cost inflations, the oversaturation of corporate coffee, the construction next door, the debt, the cashflow problems... we don't know if we'll be open from one month to the next let alone be up and running when it comes time for them to step in and earn a paycheck. It's bittersweet to bring them in and see them so eager to help, and, truly, it is what keeps Carley and me going with this whole thing.
I won't lie, its painful to drive by a 7Brew and see ten cars queued up for their sugary slop after I had two visitors in three hours of working late to keep labor cost down - in between my morning job and evening job I have to pay bills at home... but they've got the capital to be everywhere and all the perks that come with their blackrock backing, and all we have is passion and good coffee... but, dangit anyway if Im not going to keep on trying to set up something for my kiddos (while I still have the means and ability) so they can know what it's like to work for a mom and pop shop, and to own and love their jobs, before corporate behemoths take the last remnants of what we Small Businesses have tried to build.
To that end, the girls have asked to accompany Carley and me through our "Summer of Sacrifice" where you'll see us working the shop for our new, regular, later hours (to 4PM) and Sundays while we try to weather another Summer slump. We really don't want to pay $100/month to Meta to get their blue check and the "premium" feature of being seen by new people (used to be free), so please spread the word and COME SEE US!
We'll be here, trying to slay the corporate beasts with our High End Cafe (TO GO!!! ππ¨)
Cheers βοΈ