“I was four or five when I had my first cup of coffee. My grandmother kept me after school and would have a hot pot of Folgers medium roast ready for me, even though my mom was adamant about not giving me caffeine. I’m rambunctious and curious enough: the last thing I need is caffeine to keep me up. But my grandmother made it a certain way, and I got addicted. Always drank it out of my big blue cup—filled it to the rim. We would drink coffee and talk about everything or watch PBS Kids. I learned how to make our coffee myself. So having The Coffee Shop in Opelika is full circle. I work hard here as a tribute to my grandmother. She passed away, but she’s the reason I’m willing to do this. 

I’m a middle child of five. Directly in the middle. I’m the bridge between two wide age gaps. I became a bridge builder and like to connect people. I’m intentional with my interactions and want to make people feel better than how they came to me. That’s one of the core values of The Coffee Shop. We build bridges to every customer who comes in. You can get bad and mean anywhere. It’s harder to be kind and give something different. 

Another part of something different is my interest in the paranormal, urban legends, and history of places. It’s more than footsteps in the room. Take the scariness and spookiness out of it–these stories bring places alive, reminding you that life is fleeting. History is another bridge. The people who came before us had a purpose; we’re here for a purpose, too.

This coffee shop is my purpose. I may be dragging at 5:30 in the morning, but when the first person walks in, I snap out of it. The energy bounces between us, and we give each other a better day. Doing good makes me happy, and I get to repeat that over and over. It’s addictive. Just like coffee.”

Josh