Core Value Blog Series: (Ethically Traded Coffee)

In an effort to ensure fair prices for international coffee farmers, our local roaster works towards ensuring purchases from coffee brokers utilizing Direct Trade practices.  From our coffee shop’s inception we have striven to be ethical and intentional in learning about where our products originate.  Wishing to be fair and transparent about our product we initially researched the Fair Trade coffee model, but became frustrated with several aspects of this model including the certification process and the amount of middle men involved. While the Fair Trade model is not necessarily a bad model, we quickly realized it may not be the best model for us to pursue.  In Direct Trade practices the coffee broker buys directly from the farmer building relationships that are beneficial to both parties while eliminating the middle men who require their own profit margins.  Because of this the Direct Trade model offers the farmer a higher price than he would normally receive, and it also allows for greater attention to be given towards the quality of the coffee produced.

New Video about All In Coffee Shop

Check it out! Ryan Wagler a friend of our coffee shop helped us create an exciting video clip. We are calling it The Story of All In Coffee Shop!  Click on the link and share it with your friends. If you would like a chance to win one of our new t-shirts, comment on this blog post and share it, then list the media channel you used to share this post. We will hold a drawing among all of the entries to select a winner.  After selecting a winner we will announce it on facebook & twitter. The winner must be able to pick the t-shirt up at our store and will have 30 days to do so.

What Cause are You Passionate About?

Over the next few weeks we are looking to come up with a list of humanitarian organizations to focus on over the next 5-6 months.  At the end of each month we will continue donating 2% of our monthly sales directly towards these projects.  In addition to these monthly totals we have also been toying with the idea having a specific day each month where we have an extra fundraising emphasis like we did recently with the adoption fundraiser.  On these days the organization we are supporting would be featured more prominently, our donation percentages would be increased for that day, and we would also feature additional giving opportunities for customers that really believe in the cause. 

This is where you the reader enter the conversation.  We are looking for a list of ideas from you.  What poverty driven issues are you passionate about? Which international organizations do you support? Are there certain organizations with which you already have existing ties or local connections?  The types of projects we are particularly passionate about supporting include water projects, orphan care, and human trafficking.  If you have any suggestions or ideas feel free to email us at allincoffee@gmail.com.

Adoption Friday

You can help support a local adoption this coming Friday.  20% of all sales on the twenty-ninth will go directly towards supporting the adoption expenses of a local family. C&D are in the process of completing their second domestic adoption.
 
C&D love children, and have felt called to provide a nurturing environment for young children who through no fault of their own have been born into less fortunate circumstances.  At “All In” Coffee Shop we view philanthropy as one of our core values, and have placed a special emphasis on assisting vulnerable children.  C&D are close friends of many of us here at “All In” Coffee, and we are very excited about assisting in this adoption fundraiser.

On Friday starting at 7:00 pm there will be live music brought by Joe Mullet & a few of his friends. Mullet is a local educator and school administrator with a love and gifting for music.  Some of his favorite artists include Rich Mullins and Andrew Peterson.  Come on out and support a great cause while enjoying music, coffee, and delicious pastries.

Core Value Blog Series: (Community Partnerships)

We wish to partner with local civic and student organizations, churches, and businesses to enhance programming options for the greater Clemson Community.  We have a large conference room at the rear of our building that is generally open for regular seating but can be closed off for meetings and special events.  In the main part of the coffee shop we have a small elevated stage that can be used to help showcase local talent.  At the front of the building our large front deck works well for students meeting for group projects or church groups conducting Bible studies.  If we can be of service to you or your organization please feel free to email us at allincoffee@gmail.com.  We will gladly attempt to answer any questions you might have.

Core Value Blog Series: (Philanthropy)

Philanthropy is an important cornerstone upon which we’ve based our business.  Each month we donate two percent of our gross sale directly towards meeting humanitarian needs around the world.  We have a special focus on water projects, orphan care and human trafficking. 

During the month of May our donation went towards water projects in the West African nation of Sierra Leone.  Although Sierra Leone is rich in natural resources and natural beauty, a brutal civil war took place between 1991-2002 and it ended up wreaking havoc on the nation.   At one point the UN declared it the worst country in the world in which to live. 

Since 2002 a rebuilding effort has been underway, yet many parts of the country lack access to basic health and sanitation services.  Clean drinking water is important for the health of any community.  During the month of May your purchase of coffee and desserts at “All In” Coffee Shop helped contribute to the health of a Sierra Leonean Community.

During the month of June we plan to partner with Jamaica Relief Ministries in providing funding towards their work in orphan care.  Jamaica Relief Ministries works in providing foster care for children in need.  In addition to foster care, Jamaica Relief Ministries, partners with a government run orphanage in raising the level of care provided to local vulnerable children.  You can find out more about Jamaica Relief Ministries at http://www.jamaicarm.org.  Jamaica Relief Ministries has a local thrift store in the Sandy Springs Community where all proceeds help found their work on the beautiful island nation of Jamaica.

Core Value Blog Series: Quality Products & Services

Truett Cathy the founder of Chick-fil-A is famous for his quote where he said “food is essential for life therefore make it good.”  At “All In’ Coffee Shop, being fans of Cathy and his organization, we like to twist his quote into saying “coffee is essential to life therefore make it good.”  While nutritionists may dispute our tongue in cheek claim, coffee has become the world’s second most traded commodity which lends at least a measure of credence to our claim.  Knowing that you the customer have choices on where you buy your coffee we endeavor to be the coffee shop of choice in the Clemson community.  In an effort to fulfill this endeavor we pledge to bring you only quality products and services. Our desserts are made from scratch, and are so delectable we might just rival your grandmother's kitchen.

Core Value Blog Series: (Friendship)

Ever since his daughter attended college in Greenville, Vernon has had a passion for the discipleship of college students.  Vernon and his wife Maria have also had a tremendous heart for missions over the years and have both traveled to quite a few countries around the world.  Their desire to couple these passions resulted in a lot of prayer and soul searching.  During this process, they were drawn to the Clemson community and its large population of International Students.  After exploring several options, they decided to capitalize on Maria’s ability to bake and finally landed on the idea of opening a coffee shop that also served a delectable selection of her home baked goods.  It’s their desire that out of this platform deep, lasting friendships can be forged and potentially lead to the founding of several Bible Studies in the adjacent conference room.  When you come into “All In” Coffee Shop it’s our goal that you’ll always find a friendly face behind the front counter, and we would like to see many of you transition from being mere customers to lifelong friends.

How Coach Swinney Helped Name Clemson's New Coffee Shop

As discussion swirled around potential names for the new coffee shop it was suggested that the name somehow reflect the desire for friendship across cultural and ethnic boundaries.  As Vernon reflected on this idea, a phrase frequently used by Dabo Swinney, the head football coach of the Clemson Tigers, kept floating through his mind.  The phrase was “All In.” 

As Vernon reflected on the phrase he felt like it was descriptive of what he wanted to see happen with the new coffee shop.  He wanted a place where anyone from any part of the world could come and visit and experience friendship.  He wanted a platform for sharing the gospel.  He wanted the coffee shop to be a salad bowl of culture with mutual respect and an opportunity to learn from each other.  Not wanting to infringe on Dabo’s phrase without prior permission Vernon contacted Dabo’s office.  Word quickly returned that Dabo had approved, and the naming process moved forward.

Birth of a Dream!

Vernon Bacher and his family have traveled extensively over the years with numerous trips to places like Sierra Leone, and Liberia, West Africa.  These trips were rarely for pleasure, and most of them contained elements of teaching, preaching, or humanitarian type work. 

In early 2010 the entire family reunited across the globe in Southeast Asia.  Davis his son was living and traveling in that part of the world for an extended period of time.  Dinah his youngest daughter was spending a month working with an international mission group based in the same region.  Eden his oldest daughter traveled with her husband from Alberta, Canada to complete the family reunion.   For several weeks Vernon and his family traveled many miles on third world buses, motorbikes, and water taxies as they crossed through numerous Southeast Asian countries. 

Vernon returned to South Carolina with an enlarged world view and a heart for the people of Southeast Asia.  Vernon reported “My biggest frustration as I traveled included the language barrier.  In West Africa people typically spoke enough English that you could communicate, but in Southeast Asia your communication consisted of signs and wonders.  You signed, and the people wondered what you were saying.”   After returning to the US Vernon and Maria began to think and pray about their recent connection overseas.  As they were processing it all, they began to learn about the large group of international students located nearby in the City of Clemson.    

As Vernon and his wife prayed and thought about getting involved in the Clemson International Student Community they kept circling back to the idea of opening up a coffee shop as a platform for ministry and friendship.  Vernon has always loved coffee, Maria loved to bake, and the idea continued to grow.  They began looking for a location.  Late last summer the property and Earle Street was identified as a potential location.  The property was purchased, plans were drawn up, permits were obtained, and the remodeling process began.