Founded in 2003, Republic Coffee at 2924 Walnut Grove is a locally owned coffee shop and cafe that is committed to both providing quality products and supporting their community. In their own words,
… our main goal is to bring to market world class coffees and truly exceptional food. We are purveyors of the world coffee markets and roast bean varieties in house daily. Our food is all made from scratch, and we strive to build community through service in our space.
We are dedicated to service and to acting Local while thinking Global.
From what I’ve seen Republic Coffee can back up every one of its claims. Their coffees are roasted and brewed in house, and include some tasty Ethiopian, Costa Rican (my personal favorite), Indian and Brazilian varieties. The menu features everything from scrambled eggs and Belgian waffles to smoked salmon bagels, from Cobb salad to beef brisket sandwiches and carrot souffle. The options are both carnivore and vegetarian friendly, and I will add my own personal testimonial that the cheese grits and the Gandhi wrap are fabulous.
What’s even more fabulous about Republic Coffee is their dedication to the Memphis community. Every Friday is Free Coffee Friday, where for a $2 donation to a local nonprofit – currently BRIDGES – you get a free coffee du jour. They’ve worked with Shelby Farms and their Grow the Park Cafe. During the primaries they hosted Republic Coffee Party, where constituents got to know the candidates through an 8 week series of unscripted one-on-one conversations. And just before Memorial Day they welcomed a Boy Scout troop to properly retire their tattered flag and fly a new one (find pictures of the ceremony on their Facebook page).
And now there’s one more reason to support Republic Coffee: their series of writers’ forums.
“It has always been my belief that a coffee shop should be a reflection of the people who use it,” said Fitz Dearmore, proprietor of Republic Coffee. “Many of our patrons are literature lovers, and some are aspiring authors themselves. We wanted to provide a space where they could meet successful authors and learn more about the process of writing and getting published.”
”Reading, Writing and Republic,” an eight-week series of forums began last week with Memphian Cal Bray, author of If Those Shoes Could Talk. Next up is Rebecca Skloot, New York Times best-selling author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks who will speak on June 24 at 7:30pm. Upcoming authors include LeMoyne-Owen College alumna Latrivia Nelson, author of Dmitri’s Closet, and Memphis music legend George Klein, writer of Elvis: My Best Man.
The forums are free and open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to come with questions for the authors.
This is a good thing, but I think you should put out more information on the featured authors rather than presuming we know all about them. Also try to recruit the few remaining bloggers to spread the word.
You’re right, I only linked to Rebecca Skloot’s website and book. For info on upcoming authors here is a release from Republic Coffee:
http://memphisconnect.com/blogdocuments/RepubCoff_bookseries.pdf
I’m sure Fitz or Bonnie at Republic would be happy to share more details!
bcameron@republiccoffeememphis.com OR they have info on their Facebook page-