It hasn’t always been this way…that we could “Google map” the nearest coffee shop and quickly identify where to find our morning liquid gold. Only recently has coffee become readily available. In an interview with Phil Goodlaxson, owner of Corvus Coffee, he reminded me that coffee houses historically have been a place for political discussions, not necessarily like the accessible shops we experience today.
According to Wikipedia[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][1], the first coffee house opened in Damascus in 1530 followed by growth in Cairo and eventually in Instanbul. Cafés spread to Europe in the 17th century: Venice, Oxford, London, Paris (Café Procope, a gathering place for the “French Enlightenment” elite) and Vienna in 1683, where milk was served with coffee.
“Though Charles II later tried to suppress the London coffeehouses as ‘places where the disaffected met, and spread scandalous reports concerning the conduct of His Majesty and his Ministers’, the public flocked to them.” Not much as changed today except perhaps that coffee shops are not just for the disaffected! And, we all still flock to our favorite cup of coffee, such as found at Corvus Coffee. (2)
In searching for the perfect cup, Phil hopes we will fully consider how the delicious coffee comes our way! How has it arrived so easily at our doorstep? What’s the human story? Phil shares his mission for Corvus, impacting all of us one cup at a time.
Why do customers come to Corvus?
PG: Our values resonate with our customers. We choose our coffee by working with farmers who embrace sustainable practices. At Corvus we “believe farmers can provide themselves with better livelihoods through better coffee.”
Through thoughtful training, our employees are able to speak not only to a coffee’s specific strengths and unique traits but also about the human story and the supply chain. Our customers care as much about craft as consumption. Like us, they care about the social impact of our product.
How do you define community?
PG: We intentionally designed our café with communal seating…there are no places for people to sit alone. Whether customers talk with one another or not, communal seating is a reason that they come to our shop. We also work hard to create a welcoming environment, leaving any snobbery far away from our walls.
What does conversation look like at Corvus?
PG: Conversation happens within the group of people filtered into the space. Whether it’s talking with a friendly barista, reading the labels describing a coffee’s origin or conversing with another guest at the ubiquitous communal table, there’s a sense of familiarity and comfort that piques our customers’ curiosity. This is the customer’s shop! Our hope is to cultivate genuine interest and appreciation for our everyday beverage that goes beyond the ordinary, relishing the whole story.
Grab a delicious cup and embrace its full story, the world behind the bean…a whole world waiting to be discovered when we converse.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffeehouse
(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_II_of_England
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