United Through Coffee

Sometimes one story is not enough for a singular day; most of the time, two is better. In this instance, two barista stories of pure happiness and good fortune seem to have found their way to this singular article. Without any further delay, welcome to the Two Beautiful Baristas Stories.

In a world of comparison and social gatekeeping, a coffee shop is going above and beyond to prevent this in its community. Based in Northfield, Minnesota, Little Joy Coffee has made its presence known online. What started as a single video about a Raspberry Danish Latte sparked an entire movement among baristas and local coffee shops worldwide.  Leading up to its instant fame, Little Joy Coffee posted a series of videos titled “DIY or Buy,” educating its followers on what drinks could easily be made at home or were worth the extra $10 at a coffee shop. On March 13, Little Joy’s manager, Serena Walker, recorded an exceptional video, showcasing a breathtaking, one-of-a-kind beverage. In the video, she describes the concoction: homemade raspberry sauce, wispy cream cheese cold foam, and a strong double shot of espresso. While the recipe seems simple enough, the final verdict for the series was buy. 

The only issue was that when thousands of people began taking an interest in the drink, adding a plane ticket to the price to try it ended up being against the purpose of the series. So, instead of withholding the recipe any longer, Little Joy decided to share the entire thing. Instantly, many shops took up the offer, and now, over 400 shops are selling the drink worldwide. To the owners and workers of Little Joy Coffee, this means more than marketing to them; it means they are changing how trends work by making them more open and connected. 

For the second story, community is just as important, but in a unique way. Two months ago, at the end of a long workday, Michael Coyne, co-owner of the Red White and Brew Coffeehouse in Warwick, Rhode Island, was startled to discover most of the $20 tips were missing. In total, only $2 remained. 

For Michael Coyne, a 30-year-old man with autism and ADHD, he interacts with customers on the regular. Gratefully, something of this nature had never occurred before, but in a slight haze, Coyne went to tell his mother, other co-owner Sheila Coyna, about the incident. Unfortunately, there was not much she could do, as the only security cameras pointed towards the door and not the register. 

After some time, Michael and Sheila talked with some regulars and posted about the issue on social media. Even the mayor of Warwick reposted the video, saying the theft was “infuriating.” Thankfully, customers continued to pour in to show their support for the duo. One lady whose son also has autism even came and donated $100 to their business. After a bit of time, Michael and Sheila had made more in tips than at the register, which, to them, showed that their community still has their back.

While coffee shops tend to provide a daily boost of energy and excitement, in some cases, their stories cut much deeper. In both instances, there is one common theme—community. Whether it was embracing it on a bigger stage or coming together to support one shop, finding community daily is crucial to bridging gaps and uniting as one.