Everyone needs a Coffee Jam in their neighborhood. Think of it as the TV bar Cheers, where everyone knows your name, but without a liquor license, and instead of people bellying up to the bar, they hunker down in one of the over-stuffed chairs, or around one of the glass tables, and enjoy a delicious sandwich or bowl of soup with their favorite cup of coffee.
I had driven past the place for a couple of years, but never felt the urge to visit as I don’t drink coffee. Then someone suggested we meet there for lunch and immediately, I felt the warmth. It might have been the group of knitters holding down the couch corner, the bridge players at a table, or the gentle banter between Shelby, the owner, and her customers and employees. For more than 12 years, she has called this little shop tucked between offices her second home, and she runs the joint with one simple philosophy – nice matters.
On the walls, the counter and taped to the cash register are reminders that this isn’t just her personal mantra, but her business philosophy, her tag line if you will. “It’s nice to be important, but it’s important to be nice” reads one plaque.
“Nice matters; and if it doesn’t exist where you are, you need to find it. You need to find nice wherever you can”, she told me recently.
And it’s a winning attitude. How do I know? Because every time I leave (and I’m there once a week), I can’t help but feel a little better about the world; I’m a bit less cynical, a dash more optimistic, and I dare say, a tad nicer. And judging by the book club and rumicube players who use it as a gathering place, the sales reps and real estate agents who open their lap tops and call it a second office, the students from a nearby college who occasionally think of it as a study center, and the politicians who drop by to meet with their constituents, I’m not alone. And then there is the group of retired friends, who gather most every day for lunch to share, listen, encourage and support each other. As I write this, they are mourning the recent sudden and unexpected death of one of their group, and the Coffee Jam is their grief counselor.
So I’ve been thinking, as the season of gratefulness and generosity clash with the season of overindulgence and commercialism, wouldn’t it be nice to give a shout out to other businesses that subscribe to the same notion that above all else, nice matters. I’d love to hear from you – please respond with a store, restaurant or other business you’d like to publicly recognize who play by the same rules. At the very least, take the time to tell them “thanks” the next occasion you have, and they’ll realize what a nice person you are.
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Pam, I also have been meaning to stop at the Coffee Jam for years. Now I'm intrigued, I will make it a point to stop by the Coffee Jam. Alicia PS I love your writing, it brightens my day!
Thanks Alicia. I go there after class every week. You will have to join me.
I went there often when I worked at LCC West and I agree with all the great things you've mentioned! One thing I especially remember is the long list of tasty lunch options and the kind and patient service when I couldn't decide what I wanted!. Thanks for recognizing Coffee Jam! – Sue
You are right Sue, I didn't even get around to the tasty food!
From your bro-in-law who appreciates good(& nice!) writing: Erma Bombeck was one of my faves,probably doing a bit of skywriting now…So thanks,Pam, for your often touching-in-multiple-ways writing. Always interesting,ever humorous,often informative–a pleasure to tune into your heart,mind,& spirit. Maybe an apropos word is unpretentious. Genuineness & niceness come from within,a place we should all be willing to share.
Wow. Thanks for the high praise. You've inspired me to keep tapping my inner soul, young or old.