Change
First mugs purchased for the shop. You may recognize one of them as our "Park On Us" Mug.
Over time things change.
Sixteen years ago, a teenage punk was dreaming about opening a coffee shop, a restaurant, or a nightclub.
Twelve years ago, a teenage punk turned college student committed to opening a small coffee house, with 2-3 baristas (at most) working alongside him, in his hometown or in the suburbs of Chicago.
Eight years ago, a college student turned young adult and a close friend debated on opening a coffeehouse in Louisville, Detroit, Chicago, or somewhere in Southwest Michigan.
Five years ago, a young adult turned man decided he had found the perfect business partner (another close friend) and was reimagining his original coffee pub dream.
Eighteen months ago, these two ridiculous men finally decided on Lexington, KY to open up a coffee shop. One came up with the name, the other came up with the mission, and together they helped create a coffeehouse, on the shoulders of a community.
Salvador and Chris, roughly 5 months before the shop opened its friendly, bright blue door.
Four months ago, one of the men left the company to chase a dream of his own. And, dream chasing is oh so fun. The team wishes him well every step he takes!
Two months ago, the once teenage punk had to head to a universe foreign to A Cup of Common Wealth, but one that made the shop possible. He entrusted a little dream to a very solid group of baristas who understood the mission, while he worked with them from afar.
Things change a lot.
A Cup of Common Wealth in its short existence has changed so much and continues to adapt and evolve. It thrives because, at its core, it’s based off of a mission: “Embrace community. Serve others. Create culture.” The mission is the only constant at the shop.
At the helm: Joe, Katie, Jeff, and Alex lead the coffee shop’s day-to-day operations, the fun marketing, and the behind-the-scenes purchasing. They’ve found a way to pump energy and excitement through a bright blue door throughout some enormous changes this summer.
It’s bigger than what was originally thought.
Lexington has taken the shop in as its own and guides it. While the team plays around behind the bar: pulling shots, steaming milk, washing dishes, and marking each other with sharpies; it is the community that breathes life into the shop.
The community made an herb so special and vibrant. The community (particularly Dusty) made trivia the most important thing in the world on Wednesday nights. The community has made coffee sleeves mean more than just something to keep our hands from burning. The community has accepted another shade of blue. The community has embraced another coffee shop into their world.
Joe (Shop Manager) high-fiving the infamous, Basil!
Lexington has let the shop serve them as best as it could and with some of the craziest cats around. And, because of the crazy there have been some amazing characters working as baristas through the past eighteen months: always cool Dustin, effervescent Basil, knows-how-to-use-a-whisk Marty, calm and collected Joe, gritty Lizzie, crazy-fun Trotsky, centered Delia, quirky Megan, sassy and motherly Ashley, steady Jeff, sweet-as-a-button Madelyn, street-credified Katie, tough as nails Carrie, live-every-moment Alex, insanely talented Zach, kind-hearted Hannah, classy and good-hearted Blake, sarcastically witty Bonnie, spunky Allison, go with the flow Evan, regal-bearded Zach, energetic Shivani, high-fiving Chris, and booming laugh Salvador. And with each character, they’ve brought something special, some new energy, some new life. They each have been a piece of the fabric of this uniquely, elaborate tapestry.
Pictured Left to Right (Top): Jeff, Joe, Katie, Evan
Pictured Left to Right (Bottom): Bonnie, Allison, Zach, Blake, Alex
As each person leaves, they leave a mark that is special. A lasting legacy. And, each legacy lends itself to the mission and to what we strive to be every day.
Everything changes as everything stays the same. A Cup of Common Wealth.
