Never once in my life did I ever envision owning a coffee shop. I did, however, love visiting one coffee shop in particular when I began working in downtown Jamestown and of course, it was Crown Street Roasting Company. My husband Nick was the barista and manager for several years there and I would visit him to say hello, enjoy the vibe, and drink some of my favorite lattes.
While Nick worked at the cafe, I finished my bachelor's degree in sociology and began my career in the non-profit sector. I wrote grants, distributed them, met with community partners, and much more. As a planner, I had everything figured out. I was going to continue working in my field while Nick managed the cafe; until he came home one day and casually mentioned purchasing Crown Street. That was not part of the plan, so initially, I was taken aback. But something in me said “Go for it.”
Nick ran the cafe while I continued to work as a Grants Director. I worked in the cafe before work, after work, and on weekends. As the cafe grew in success, it became obvious that I needed to be there full-time. I made the leap and quit my job to work at the cafe. It was not an easy transition. I am comfortable with writing, reading, and researching. I take naturally to an office setting. This was much different. I traded in my heels for non-slip shoes, working as a barista and in the kitchen so I could better understand the day-to-day of the cafe. The days were fast-paced and required that I hustle. There were times when I wasn’t sure I could handle it, but I did! Slowly but surely, I grew more comfortable in the cafe and while there is always more to learn, it feels like home. Even on the hardest of days, I don’t regret it at all.
We are smack dab in the middle of downtown Jamestown, so I feel immersed in the community. I chat with all the regulars, work with a really cool staff, make some amazing drinks, and get to work alongside my husband. There is also a lot of behind-the-scenes work that requires much of my attention, but I still make time to visit my favorite local restaurants, hang out with my loved ones, take hikes, and spend time with my pets. Owning a cafe is not what I planned but exactly what I needed.
-Mikayla