Who needs coffee to wake up every morning, to be coherent, and face the day? Like millions of people, I would be the first to admit that I do. Apparently, our body engines run on coffee. Behind water and soft drinks, coffee is the most popular beverage. While there is some stiff competition among the big boys including Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, and Dunkin, the specialty coffee shops are catching up and making a big impact. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, coffee shops represent the fastest-growing segment in the foodservice industry.
The Caffeinery and Bistro in Clarkesville is a perfect example of The Little Engine That Could. Owner, Julie Adams, is a wife, mother of three children, a business owner of two companies, and a student at Piedmont College who is persevering in a difficult time for startup businesses of any kind. No wonder she needs coffee, right?
She started The Caffeinery in early November of 2020, smack dab in the middle of the pandemic. It was a rocky start.
“We all got COVID around Christmas. My husband, Michael, almost died. We had to shut down our newly opened shop for three weeks,” she explained.
In light of our collective situation, living in the time of COVID, The Caffeinery sanitizes every hour, the employees wear masks, they offer curbside pick-up, and will soon start deliveries.
“We are waiting it out and adjusting as needed for safety and it hasn’t been easy, especially in the beginning.”
When she ordered a roaster in hopes of opening a coffee shop, it sat in her living room for about three months because she was afraid to open it in light of the pandemic and the timing of opening a business. Eventually, not only did she open the box but it is front and center in roasting her coffee at The Caffeinery.
A brand is born
As a student in Mass Communications at Piedmont College, Julie had to prepare a project or capstone for her senior exhibition. She chose coffee as her topic because “I love it.” That led to developing a coffee brand with Piedmont’s Lillian E. Smith Center.
Dr. Matthew Teutsch, Director of the Lillian Smith Center at Piedmont explained his gratitude for working with Julie and helping develop the Lillian Smith Laurel Leaf brand.
“It’s a way to work together in our community, further the message of Lillian Smith, and promote The Caffeinery at the same time. The Laurel Leaf coffee brand is based on a newsletter Lillian wrote to parents of campers between 1925 and 1948,” according to Dr. Teutsch.
Lillian Smith wrote newsletters to parents of Laurel Falls campers in those years of serving as camp director. The newsletter was called the Laurel Leaf. Mrs. Smith worked tirelessly to educate the campers who attended. And while the camp offered the usual activities including horseback riding, swimming, and tennis, Smith would also engage the campers in frank discussions about the world, speaking with them on a wide range of topics from racism and war to psychology.
“The coffee bean we use for Laurel Leaf came from a female grower. The roast is exclusive to the Lillian Smith Center and features the original artwork of the Laurel Leaf. Some of the sale proceeds go back to the Center. Her dedication to teaching campers about racism, diversity, and inclusiveness, resonated with us,” says Julie.
Sustainable partnerships
Julie’s commitment to the community doesn’t stop there. She partners with several local businesses in and around Clarkesville.
“We partner with Soque Gardens because they are affiliated with Northeast Georgia Locally Grown, meaning no chemicals. They pick up our coffee grounds, eggshells, and other compost. In return, they bring us carrots, lettuce, and other organic produce.”
Lisa Yao, one of the growers at Soque Gardens, appreciates the support and partnership with The Caffeinery.
“We try to get as many coffee grounds from them as possible because it’s one of the best ways to make the soil rich for the produce we grow and provide for Julie and for our community,” explained Lisa.
The fresh veggies supplied by Lisa can be found in the dishes featured on The Caffeinery and Bistro menu including quiche, sandwiches, and pastries. It’s a family affair. Her husband is in charge of the sandwiches and her daughter, Hannah, is the baking guru, mastering pastries and other mouthwatering delicacies.
Making a Difference
And lest we forget your four-legged babies, The Caffeinery offers homemade doggie treats, bandannas, and leashes made by a local dog Dad, Daniel Kastner who also started his own business, Gatsby Style Trading Company.
“My dog, Gatsby, a Golden Doodle, has health problems. I started in October last year making bandannas for him, which lead to making leashes and other products. Gatsby helped my stress and anxiety and I love partnering with The Caffienery because it makes me feel like I’m getting somewhere and making a difference,” Kastner says.
The lives Julie has touched in the past few months through her business are part of a bigger plan to connect people in positive ways and be a catalyst for outreach opportunities.
At a time when hundreds of businesses have closed shop and hundreds more are struggling, there has probably never been a more important time to shop local. Stopping in for a cup of coffee or a bite to eat at The Caffeinery and Bistro is not only helping Julie keep her doors open but through her, you are supporting multiple small businesses right here in our community.
You can follow The Caffeinery & Bistro on Facebook at thecaffeineryclarkesville. They are located directly across from the old Habersham County Courthouse at 522 Monroe Street in Clarkesville. Phone #: 706-715-0775.
