I can still remember where I was sitting when the thought popped into my head. A comfy orange reading chair in the library of a cruise ship heading to Jamaica was my daydreaming haven. As I let myself drift deeper into Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz, it became difficult to fend off the distractions of ideas and possibilities. Everything was new and exciting during that time as we had just launched a risky ship of our own – a church.
It was just one year into the 5 year old project we now call Vineyard Westside. Creativity was rampant within our group as we’d not yet experienced the many failures that were destined to find us. We hadn’t screwed up enough to have the life stamped out of us, therefore, anything was an option. Even a coffeehouse that wasn’t there to make profits.
As I returned home from that cruise to share my idea of a coffeehouse that was owned by the church – I came to find out it wasn’t really my idea at all. I just happened to be in on something that was brewing in the hearts of quite a few people already. We shared our vision, we prayed, and we dreamed about what it would look like to have a business that was really a ministry…that was really a business. What if all the profits of that Biznistry went back to the church and then into the community?
God Himself would have to come through in a massive way if a new little church like us was ever going to accomplish such an undertaking. Where would it be? How would we pay for it? Who would run it?
One prayer leads to another and before you know it someone shows up who wants to use the old bar they own to transform lives instead of take away from them. Thousands of hours in volunteer labor added to a continued vision eventually put skin and bones on what many considered a pipe dream.
It was an honor and a privilege to stand amongst friends who have worked tirelessly oven these past two years to make Refuge Coffee Bar a reality. The West Side of Cincinnati has a new venue for meetings, free wireless internet access, art gallery showings, bands of all sorts, and a great hang out spot. Not to mention the fact that it is the best coffee in town. I might be biased though.
Refuge is open for business. It is located at 5012 Glenway Ave just as you enter into Price Hill. They are currently working on a website and I will share that link once it’s available. I’ve written about the progress of Refuge Coffee Bar before in August of 2008…it’s come a long way:
http://www.thisisreverb.com/2008/08/refuge.html
I think I’ll be spending a good bit of my time there. Check it out if you’re ever in the area.
ahh – wonderful concept – will be thrilled to share some coffee cake recipes with y’all – we used to have a B&B – email me and I’ll send on my favorites – a coffee and a little nosh – sure beginning of a good interaction
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An Americano for $1.70?!? I’m there, man.
-Chris
Weather Moose
PS – This is not belittling what it is you all are doing. This shop is a wonderful addition to the community with a brilliant purpose following God’s plan.
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wow! very exciting!!
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This is awesome!!!!! I wish I lived closer.
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That is so cool… Congrats on finally seeing your dream in motion. God is good.
Marla @ http://www.asthefarmturns.wordpress.com
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Glorious!! Absolutely Gorglorious!!
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Awesome! I’ll have to stop and get a Cup-a-Joe next time I head to Cincy. Maybe my boys and I will even run into you and get to meet ya in person. What a concept! Amazing what coffee can do huh?!!
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nice latte art! Is the espresso guild involved in this?
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This latte art making barista gives her stamp of approval!
This is such a great idea, you guys are doing good work for God, that’s for sure.
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Ryan, this is amazing I am so proud of you guys!
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Our pastor’s wife does the same thing with an accessories boutique store. We refer to it as market place ministry. The proceeds fund our outreach to the homeless. The coffee bar is beautiful!
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Love this! Reading about what you guys are doing always inspires me to keep things fresh and our options open with our church. Thanks for sharing
)
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well that is just cool!
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Congrats! What a great idea! If only I weren’t in Connecticut, I’d come by for some coffee (oh, how I love my java)! Good luck!
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Our church has one too- good luck!
http://www.eastbrookchurch.org/index.php/ministries/holy_grounds/
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Congratulations! I adore brick and mortar missions…helps me wrap my brain and heart around things. I wish I lived anywhere near you, because I have a serious caffeine habit and could probably sponsor someone just on my consumption alone
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Awesome! A few years ago I worked at a coffee shop with just the same kind of vision. Owned by the First Alliance Church in Calgary AB, The House Coffee Sanctuary is a not for profit organization that quickly became a sanctuary for many of Calgary’s youth, homeless, and all sorts of people. You can check out their website at http://www.thehousecoffee.ca/ if you’re interested. Derrick the pastor there is an amazing guy who has done some pretty incredible things for some pretty incredible people in Calgary.
I hope and pray that Refuge Coffee Bar is successful in the ways it needs to be.
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i love this! i also have to say that i am hugely jealous of the vibrant church community you’ve got going there. my husband and i recently moved and have been searching fruitlessly for a church that has that kind of ENERGY.
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Congratultions! I would definitely stop by for a coffee if I was anywhere close, but I’m in CA. Keep up the wonderful work you do, and keep blogging to provide inspiration to others as well. I love reading your posts and always leave with a sense of peace knowing that there are indeed still good people in the world.
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Wonderful! It’s so good to see God’s visions for us come to pass
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Biznistry…love it! This gave me goose bumps. I need some hot chocolate! Too bad I’m so far away.
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I think that’s great!!! Wish I could stop by. Our former associate pastor left our church a few years ago in order to start the very same thing. He’s in NC so I haven’t been there but here is their link.
http://www.javajourney.org/
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Next time we’re in Cinci to visit my hubby’s folks we’ll try and come by! What a great warm relaxing place you all have created!
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I can’t believe you mentioned..Blue Like Jazz. I am rereading it right now! Please Please listen to Mark Driscolls Easter message! MarshillChurch.org….you WON’T regret the 15 minutes! It’s a shorter message because we had Baptisms.
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Congratulations on opening Refuge and seeing your vision through! What wonderful things come to those who band together for the greater good!
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I wish I lived near there – it looks awesome. I’m in Wisconsin… kind of a long trek for coffee.
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So exciting! I hope you post about it lots. The peacock is beautiful!
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Wow, looks awesome!! Kudos on your dream coming true
If I’m ever in the area…
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This is so awesome! What a great vision for your church to reach the community! Best wishes!
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This has been a dream of mine for years — to do something like this with our church. Next time I’m in Cincy…I’ll be visiting — thanks for posting the update! Way to Go Westside!
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Good Luck!
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Awesome!
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I was soooo encouraged when you wrote that post in 2008??!! Have I been reading that long? The reason is that I had the same idea, all by my little lonesome, years and years ago.. and have not been able to see it materialized but the dream has not died, either! I will now live vicariously through others… ;D and all is good in the world for a moment. If I ever make it to Cincy to see my friend there I will surely drag her to Refuge Coffee Bar! (and probably VWS too!)
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MMM, the boyfriend lives in Price Hill…will definitely be stopping in!
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Congrats on the opening of the cafe. We have that kind of cafe (Cafe Magdalena) here in Bergen. And I love stopping by there when I’m in the area. The food is good, and the atmosphere is very comfortable, not to mention child friendly.
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Hello would you mind stating which blog platform you’re using? I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m having a difficult time deciding between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S Apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!
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Your alrtice perfectly shows what I needed to know, thanks!
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