DELUX [ PROFILE ]
Jason Wilson’s: CHRONICLE COFEE “A community builds itself from the inside out,” a quote by which owner Jason Wilson and his localdwelling employees at Chronicle Coffee serve their customers. Located in St. Louis’ Theater District, which was formerly known by its public housing complex, Chronicle Coffee is one of the best-kept coffee secrets in the city. “What was once a stimulant [for me] became a routine. Sitting around the water cooler, drinking coffee. As I started drinking it more, I began analyzing why people choose it and why they drank it.” Through his first business (a car wash), Jason sought to hire people in need of second chances. But he felt he wasn’t giving back enough. There wasn’t much more he could do for his employees beyond paying them. He started the coffee shop with the idea to do more than sell the best coffee. It’s comprised of a family of hardworking people who are passionate about excellent coffee and building their community. They strive to be incomparable and not just another coffee shop. The focus is set on building global connections, importing raw beans, and sharing cultural stories from the coffee-producing countrymen of the Global South to those of the urban coffee drinkers in St. Louis. The vintage yet contemporary atmosphere offers a relaxing place to enjoy premium coffee and freshly made food while engaging in meaningful dialogue and activities. Jason recently purchased Northwest Coffee. The former owner, Rick Melton, sold Jason both locations: one in Clayton and the other in the Central West End. Both are heavily trafficked areas. He bought this company with the intention to be able to continue to help Northwest grow while simultaneously growing Chronicle. The Clayton and Central West End locations, whose names will remain the same, were built to suit their diverse, unique clientele and were built to “match their neighborhoods”. Jason had the same intent with Chronicle, it’s surroundings, and the clientele served. A goal for Chronicle Coffee is to enhance the newly revitalized urban neighborhoods in North St. Louis by developing a positive gathering 76
FEBRUARY | MARCH 2013 delux-mag.com
Photography: McArthur Story by: Tiffany Shawn | mynaturalreality.com
space for socially conscious residents and politically aware conversations. To me, that’s their fancy way of saying c’mon down, hang out, and talk about the real issues of the moment while sipping tasty java. A coffee house, in the city, providing space for community engagement, inspiration, motivation, and relaxation deserves your support!
Chronicle Coffee 1235 Blumeyer Ave St. Louis, MO 63106 (314) 534-0524
Chronicle Coffee 1235 Blumeyer Ave. St. Louis, MO 63106 (314) 534-0524 Northwest Coffee (Clayton) 8401 Maryland St. Louis, MO 63105 (314) 371-4600 Northwest Coffee (Central West End) 4251 Laclede Ave St. Louis, MO 63108 (314) 725-8055