Picture of Elon University
Caption: ELON, NORTH CAROLINA LOCAL COFFEE CULTURE
Elon University
Caption: In an effort to better understand the ways in which the local coffee culture affects the local community, as well as what it reveals about Elon’s demographic, I visited five locally owned coffee shops in the area.
I met with the owners and employees of Salvation Coffee, The Oak House, The Blend, Irazu Coffee, and Converge Coffee to talk about the social and environmental impacts they feel that their coffee shop has had not only on the Elon community, but the global community as well.
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Caption: COFFEE Have you ever been curious about the power of coffee? What are the ways in which coffee affects/influences the local and global community? What are the environmental costs of a coffee shop?
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Caption: “It’s really hard for coffee farmers. Most of our coffees are 3-4 dollars a pound. When you look at how the chain breaks down, that farmer might be getting a couple pennies off of that. I want to improve that.”
- Jim Young, Owner of Salvation Coffee
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Caption: “We always want to push that all are welcome. We don’t welcome homophopia, racism, or sexism. We try to do charity events and partnerships, and give funds to help others. As you get to know us baristas, you also will get to know our beliefs.”
-Annabel, Barista/Keyholder at The Blend
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Caption: “In a perfect world, we could use all mugs and glass, we would order just the right amount of stuff every day and sell it all. But I think in a perfect world the customers would have a better knowledge, understanding and appreciation for all the things you are asking about. Like, where does this come from, why does it matter? Why does it matter that we write a check to a company 14 miles away as opposed to some company far away that’s shipping in milk.”
-Phil Smith, Owner of The Oak House
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Caption: “One thing that I value the most is actual relationships. I like the idea of providing a space where people can come together. It’s so important particularly nowadays with the influence that technology has had on our society. I mean, look at all these people actually talking! No phones- just coffee!”
-Rod Salazar, Owner of Irazu Coffee
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Caption: “We wanted a place for people to connect, this is a place where everyone can converge over coffee. No matter what or who you are, you can sit down and be free from the outside world and meet new people.”
-Kylo, Barista at Converge Coffee
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Caption: “It is expensive if you’re trying to be environmentally friendly, so that expense has to go towards the customer. We tried using paper straws but that lasted a month. People got mad.”
Jim Young, Owner of Salvation Coffee
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Caption: “Our milk comes from a local farm 14 miles away. Our pastries come from 3 miles away. That not only supports the local economy, but creates a smaller carbon foot print. We limit what comes in on a big truck from out there somewhere.”
-Phil Smith, The Oak House
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Caption: “We have a full range of all different sorts of people- from different socioeconomic status, religious beliefs… all are welcome here.”
-Annabel, Barista/Keyholder at The Blend
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Caption: “The rise of coffee shops in the area is making Burlington more modern. It’s more of a rural area, and so it’s been changing the feel of the community.”
-Kevin, Barista at Irazu Coffee
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Caption: “My favorite part of this establishment, personally, is the amount of local businesses that this place brings together. I didn’t know how many businesses were available to me until I worked here.”
-Marisa, Barista at Converge Coffee
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Caption: “All of our coffee is single-origin. I know the farm that it comes from. Everything is all ethically sourced. I don’t pay attention to the ones that are like, ‘Rainforest friendly.’ Some of that has gotten to the point where those little tags have become something like, “Okay you write us a check and you can put that certification on your product.” When really, it’s just about another company making money.”
-Jim Young, Owner of Salvation Coffee
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Caption: “During peak season we can send up to 20 pounds of coffee grounds that go to compost which would otherwise go in a landfill.”
-Phil Smith, Owner of The Oak House
(During this interview, Farmer Sam actually stopped by to drop the empty containers back off at The Oak House!)
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Caption: “I think this place promotes community. We are in a perfect location right in downtown Burlington.”
-Annabel, Barista/Keyholder at The Blend
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Caption: “When you actually look at the process of getting the coffee beans to a coffee shop, it’s an incredible amount of work and we don’t realize it. So I have always been an advocate for having the farmers get thier fair share.”
-Rod Salazar, Owner of Irazu Coffee
Picture of Elon University
Caption: “Just being a safehaven. Connecting all people: big, small, black, or white. A rich person could have a conversation with a poor person and it just happens naturally over coffee. I’ve seen two people from completely different backgrounds meet for the first time in here- they stayed and talked for four hours.”
-Kylo, Barista at Converge Coffee
Elon University
Caption: COMMONALITIES BETWEEN SHOPS + TAKEAWAYS
- All the coffee shops know where their coffee comes from, where it was roasted, and how it’s sourced. There was an emphasis on single origin, fair trade coffees that support the coffee farmers. Local roasting and sustainable sourcing promotes local business while lessening environmental cost.
-Each shop pairs with several local farms, co-ops, and businesses to attain their dairy milks, pastries, coffee beans, and more. Composting with local farms is a large part of each coffee shop’s efforts to improve environmentally. However, they all wanted to take more action towards decreasing their environmental impact.
- All shops talked about welcoming others. A majority of the shops even had gender neutral restrooms. However, when looking at a racial dot map, I noticed that nearly all the shops are located on South Church Street, the West side of Burlington that is primarily white. Interesting to note.
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Caption: AS I REFLECT ON MY RESEARCH, I AM PLEASANTLY SURPRISED BY HOW KNOWLEDGEABLE EACH COFFEE SHOP WAS REGARDING THEIR SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS.
I AM LEFT WITH THIS QUESTION, AND I WILL LEAVE IT WITH YOU TOO:
HOW CAN WE AS A SOCIETY PRIORITIZE SOCIAL EQUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, AND CAN THIS BE DONE THROUGH COFFEE SHOPS?
