Walking, Talking, Sipping (and purchasing) with an Old Friend

Starting Curt’s Café in 2012 was hard but it would have been impossible without the 100% support of my friend Lori Dube.  Before Curt’s I did not know her – after Curt’s, because of the experiences we had together, I feel we have an invisible bond that is stronger than most bonds in life.

So I wasn’t at all surprised when I texted her on a Monday night and said “I’m in Denver for 24 hours.  What are you up to?” that she responded in less than 10 minutes “…breakfast tomorrow…A place called Moxie in Louisville…”.  Nor was I surprised when she told me about Louisville, Colorado which is just filled to the top with wonderful small shops – one, called the Singing Cook,  which we had to go in and where she bought me this beautiful coffee spoon (our coffee bond is really very strong haha).

After a delicious coffee and toast at Moxie Lori asked if I had time to go to Boulder to check out a few small shops she loved. Important note –she had no idea I was building the directory Save Small Shops!

So off to Boulder to be wowed first at Bitty and Beau’s where the tag line “a human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop” obviously resonated with me.  Although a franchised model most Bitty and Beau’s are independently owned and we were lucky enough to meet with one of the owners and hear her “why”.  Hope you can stop in to hear it too some time!  Had to buy Lori and I a bag with the tag line because I believe it’s a very important concept to think about!

Then we went to Suti & Co which put another 5 lbs on me with amazing handmade Scandinavian pastries.  Suti & Co was so Zen and chill and casually lovely lovely lovely I wanted to stay all day but off we went.  We visited quite a few more independently owned coffee shops and bakeries and each and everyone had a beautiful story.  Besides being a bit buzzed with all the coffee, I think half my buzz was because of who I was with, sharing something very close to both of us.  To walk and talk and sip and eat (and of course purchase) with an old friend while meeting new friends and hearing beautiful stories of survival, passion, vision and happiness surrounding their businesses really reminded me of my “why”.   Why small shops – Today my answer is because the warmth of walking and talking with old friends to meet new friends on their journey is a life experience that gives me space to breathe, smile, laugh and refuel in the complicated world we live in.  Join me on the walk and share what you experience…