Being Thankful

As 2014 comes to a close we can’t help, but look back on what a wondrous year we’ve shared with all of you.  It was our first full year being open and, like 2013, it was full of some crazy experiences and unforgettable memories.

Several coffee-slingers left us and followed their own dreams in 2014 and, man, was it bittersweet.  We wish every single one of them the best of luck and always encourage them to come back, grab a seat, and have a cup of coffee with us.

Saying goodbye to Basil at Keeneland

While we did lose some people this year, the silver lining was the awesome people that joined us.  On any given day you can come in and see Alex, Zach J., Bonnie, Evan, Allison, Zach W., and Shivani – all of which have brought their own nuanced personalities to the shop.  Not to mention, you can still see some familiar faces:

Miss Katie – who’s been with us for just about a year now and still nails high-fives with the best of them, pulls off some amazing dance moves, and is always out and about in the community spreading the shop love.

Mister Jeff – who’s been with us for a year and a half and still offers puns to just about anyone, makes some tall rosettas in lattes, and ensures the shop is fully stocked for all of you.

Mister Joe – who’s been with us since the very beginning and can talk about coffee, beer, wine, bourbon, music, and everything in between.  He’s a coffee legend in the making and we love that we get to be a part of it.

Christmas Dinner ~ Back Row (Left to Right): Zach W., Zach J., Katie, Joe, Jeff; Middle Row (Left to Right): Alex, Evan, Sal, Allison, Bonnie; Front Row: Shivani

Along with the addition of some new faces, we also added some new products and with it some changes came about in our little shop.  Our old condiment bar turned into a giant retail unit - full of coffee, mugs, chocolates, teas, and even some t-shirts.  Our new condiment bar (the brainchild of Miss Alex Canada) popped up one afternoon with the help of so many people that were just hanging out in the shop, then noticed all of us unsuccessfully playing with tools. 

Ooooohhhh…we can’t forget about the addition of Sunday night coffee classes.  Mr. SoProJoeBro shares his knowledge of coffee with anyone that wants to participate in a Sunday night coffee class.  Classes have ranged from the regions of coffees, to chocolate and coffee pairings, to just making some tasty coffee.

And, that’s all the little stuff!  The big stuff, the stuff that makes you go home and feel all the happiness…well, there was quite a few:

-       One of our most regular regulars, Jack Attack, is now clear of cancer.  To mark the day he found out, he taught us how to do the jitterbug in the middle of the shop.

Jack Attack teaching Alex how to do the Jitterbug

-       We got to hang out with all of UK during the Sweet Sixteen as our tank of an espresso machine fired out free drinks to UK students for a whole day.

-       We had our one-year celebration crammed with some awesomeness.  The Secretariat’s grandson visited us, the day was named “A Cup of Common Wealth Day” by Mayor Jim Gray, and we even got a little teary-eyed seeing the love and support that was all around us that beautiful day.

Delia and Whynot - two of our favorite customers (both Iced Mocha lovers)

-       We watched more and more coffeehouses pop up with their own Pay It Forward boards and it made our hearts grow.

-       We all stood together as a community and supported our good buddy, Sav.  You’re the absolute best, Sav!

-       We started our monthly Non-Profit day and have been able to see it slowly grow from month to month

-       We put up our Community Tree again.  So.  Much.  Emotion.  While that tree may only be worth a few bucks in the eyes of many; it’s worth a whole heck of a lot more to us.  It’s our mission in the form of a small Christmas tree and a beacon of light for us whenever we may lose our footing in the dark.  There is no Dollar Store tree we respect more.

No better Christmas tree in all of the land

As we work through all of this reflection we know it all comes back to gratitude and thanks. 

We are so grateful for each and every one of you and are thankful each and every day that you support us. 

Saying you have humbled us is an understatement.

Thanks for a radtastical year!