Coffee Locals: Celebrating Unique Coffee Experience
How would vacations be if every place were the same? Or shopping if all stores were alike? What about visits to your friendly neighborhood coffeehouse?
Coffee Locals is a non-profit alliance of independent local coffee shops in the Saint Louis area. Our mission is spreading the word about the unique, interesting, high-quality experiences and products to be found in locally-owned, locally-operated, independent business where specialty coffee is served and sold.
The owners and employees of these establishments are passionate about what they do. They have a true stake in the community. In ways that are not found in chains and franchises, these unique gathering places reflect character, creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and the local charm of their neighborhoods and residents. Large corporations that have retail locations numbering in the dozens or thousands are exactly what local flavor, uniqueness, and passion is not.
Local coffeehouses support their communities. They use the goods and services of other local business, and bring life and vibrancy to wherever they call home. So in addition to helping make our daily routines far more interesting, and instead of just feeding another carbon-copy model that can be found just about anywhere, locally owned coffeehouses actually help to foster and grow other local independent businesses, keeping downtowns, mainstreets, and all metro neighborhoods alive and real. Studies have shown that of each dollar spent at a large chain business, about $.13 remained in the community. Hometown businesses returned more in the range $.45 to the community, or more than triple. And this doesn’t even address the multiplier effect as that revenue works its way local businesses.
St. Louis has so much to offer in a burgeoning, local, hip and happening coffee marketplace. What are you interested in today? And where in the St. Louis area are you? Coffee Locals members can provide you with a huge range of coffeeshop settings to suit your style of the moment, such as: spiced and polished elegance; or how about art deco funky; rustic rivertown saloon style; funky grunge rock roots; busy-city scene, with or without clicking wireless laptops; or a true art or photography theme? This doesn’t even touch all the products available, such as great food and pastries. And of course the fantastic drink creations… all for the love of great coffee. Most importantly, what about the personalities and passions of people that make it all go? And it’s so easy to take advantage of, right here in St. Louis.
