HOUSTON – A local coffee shop is seeing an unprecedented spike in business, as controversy surrounding Starbucks, brings customers to their door step.
Orgena Keener operates Kaffeine Coffee in the Third Ward and was pleasantly surprised to see just how many new visitors decided to give her shop a try. Longtime friends who she hasn’t seen since high school even stepped in for a visit after hearing all the buzz.
Mind you the business has been around for five years and in that time, little in the way of customer service has changed. Every cup is served with a smile and even those just hanging out, are attended to.
“Meeting people at coffee shops, that’s what people do,” said Keener.
So what’s changed? Plenty, if you’ve watched any coverage of competitor Starbucks over the past week.
Two black men were arrested in a Starbucks shop in Philadelphia, after an employee called police to complain that the men were trespassing. Outrage sparked online spilled out into the streets once cell phone video of the incident went viral.
“Truthfully, it hurt us to see that,” said Kirk Booker of Kaffeine Coffee.
Since then, people around the country have called for everyone to boycott Starbucks and it’s led to more options being discovered.
“I think it’s just letting people know that we’re here and there’s an alternative,” said Keener.
Starbucks has since issued apologies to the two men and the company's CEO met with both men as well. On May 29, Starbucks plans to close all of their stores for mandatory racial bias training.
“I do hold them accountable for the actions of their employees. I think a company like that needs to be responsible for what happens in their stores,” said Keener.
Kaffeine Coffee, is more than just another option. They’re black-owned and black-operated, which if you ask customers they’ll tell you it played a role in why they chose to spend their money here.
“It’s being supported by the community, that’s very important,” said Lawrence Moody of Houston.
Mr. Moody is what you would call a regular and he tells me he’s excited to see the money people spend stay in the community.
“It’s being supported by the community, that’s very important,” said Moody.
Just as important, everyone is welcome.
“I just love Houston and I want all of Houston to come see my family,” said Keener.
This week into next, Houston recognizes Black Restaurant Week, where some of your favorite businesses will hold specials to get you in the door.