‘It’s just a place that they feel welcome’: SimplyBe Coffee in Leesburg is coffee shop with a cause
Employee Ami at SimplyBe Coffee in Leesburg Virginia WTOP Neal Augenstein Employee Ami at SimplyBe Coffee in Leesburg Virginia WTOP Neal Augenstein If you ask what s in a dirty chai latte at SimplyBe Coffee in downtown Leesburg Virginia Ami would be glad to tell you and prepare your drink for you We put chai and milk and espresso reported Ami taking a break from working behind the counter at the brightly colored cafe built in a historic house located on Church St SE in Leesburg With relaxed seating in what used to be a living room children s play areas and books nearby this coffeehouse has a homey vibe SimplyBe is a coffee shop that s primary mission is to employ individuals with disabilities explained Susannah Lee CEO of Tree of Life Ministries The registered c nonprofit organization also operates The Clothing Closet a boutique thrift shop that provides new and gently used clothing to the masses and free clothing to those in need through a voucher project Lee declared in people employees five participants and high school work transition students worked at the shop Related stories Shopping dining coffee pickleball Indoor pickleball courts are coming to Manassas Mall Black-owned coffee shop featured in DC Startup Week coming to H Street Bitty Beau s coffee shop with a mission comes to Georgetown We bring them on board we show them how to make coffee we show them how to treat our customers and how to clean the shop commented Lee Ami is one of the employees I say welcome I take orders to make drinks she mentioned Questioned what drinks customers seem to prefer They like chai latte Ami commented Manager Cheryl June stated employees come to work with a variety of skill levels and special necessities We have tasks suitable for everybody that works here and they re dependably guided along the way June revealed Lee revealed customer provision is vital at SimplyBe First and foremost we want to make sure that our customers anyone who walks in the door feels very welcome and understands our mission she announced Several employees work several shifts a week while others work just once or twice a week It s just a place that they feel welcome they feel loved declared Lee Our customers truly understand our mission they find out about us and they come here just for that purpose The nonprofit will be opening a second location this year in Purcellville SimplyBe as we ve grown as a brand in the group it s been a place that a lot of people desire to work or volunteer at noted Lee When you walk into any coffee shop in Leesburg or Loudoun County everybody has a cup of coffee revealed Lee But with our mission with our purpose and the enjoyment of the individuals that serve us it just makes it a special place Source
