flavor
Love Coffee is scheduled to open early
get authentic fresh-made crepes, and the
this month, and most of its employees
sandwiches are a little bit special with the
will come from word-of-mouth referrals,
fresh[ly] made bread. It’s sort of our own
including other communities such as City
twist on things.”
of Refuge and local veterans. The employees of Love Coffee will
Llorens feels that Love Coffee’s opening will provide a new gathering place for
learn skills related to customer service
the community, one that brings people
and food prep, as well as professional
from different walks of life together in a
etiquette. The goal is that these skills can
positive setting.
then be applied to other employment
“We’ve had an overwhelmingly
opportunities in the community and be-
positive response from the community,”
yond. Besides professional development, a
Llorens says. “People just want to learn,
key mission of Love Coffee is creating an
give back and be supportive. We hope
environment of community engagement.
that we get a lot of people coming into
“One of the things I’d like to do is
the coffee shop, not only for good food
provide a location for folks with special
and good coffee, but to interact with
needs and without special needs to gather
somebody they may not have otherwise
and socialize together,” Crews says. “Like
interacted with. These folks just tend to
game night or karaoke night to help those
lift the mood of a room.”
individuals socialize with the general
Love Coffee’s menu will include, of
population. Many of them just know their
course, a full coffee bar. Espresso and drip
parents and caregivers.”
coffee will be served alongside tea, hot
Dr. Becky Llorens is the vice president
chocolate and chai lattes. A pastry case
of Love Coffee’s board, and her son Nick
will feature fresh fruit-stuffed scones,
will be working in the cafe. Nick, 28,
biscotti, cookies and cinnamon rolls.
has autism and has worked with Crews
For those looking for something a little
through Special Olympics. Nick is excited
heavier, a small breakfast and lunch menu
about the opportunity to work in the cafe,
will be available.
and his mom is particularly excited about the teamwork he will experience. “He’s going to be able to work with
compote, biscuits and gravy, fresh crepes and parfaits. The cafe also will offer breakfast sandwiches made with savory
cial interaction,” Llorens says. “These guys
scones, dubbed “Sconewiches.” Lunch
don’t get that nearly enough.”
will include a combination of soups, signature salads and sandwiches. All
is the brains behind the menu at Love
of the bread for the sandwiches will be
Coffee. He lives up to his namesake — he
made from scratch, including croissants
has worked as a baker for 18 years. After
and multigrain.
being approached by Love INC about his
The cafe will be open from 6 a.m. to 6
work, he got to know the organization’s
p.m. Monday through Thursday and from
business model and fell in love with it,
6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday,
agreeing to develop the menu for the
with special events on the weekend
Love Coffee venture.
evenings. Love Coffee will be closed on
“I really wanted to create some dishes
We hope that we get a lot of people coming into the coffee shop, not only for good food and good coffee, but to interact with somebody they may not have otherwise interacted with. These folks just tend to lift the mood of a room."
Breakfast options include berry
other staff and get that collaborative so-
Food Service Manager Micah Baker
DINING OUT
Sundays. Visit Love Coffee at 15 Business
that would satisfy Columbians’ needs,”
Loop 70 E., or check out their website at
Baker says. “There aren’t many places to
www.columbialovecoffee.org
INSIDE COLUMBIA MARCH 2020 95