Serving More than Coffee: A Cafe that Gives Every Tip Away
Hannah Chatterton - The Forgottonia Times™
The original staff of Cole Street Coffee House. Photo courtesy of Kea Runyan
A tip left after a cup of coffee may cost only a couple dollars, but at Cole Street Coffee House, those dollars are making a major difference. Since opening its doors on January 25, 2023, Cole Street Coffee House has invested every tip into Bushnell’s community, raising an astonishing $42,453.48 in just two years.
Unlike most coffee shops, where tips go to baristas, Cole Street’s employees receive standard wages and the shop shoulders that financial responsibility so that every donated dollar truly benefits the community. “We hoped the community would buy in, but we had no idea what the response would be,” said Kea Runyan, the coffee shop’s manager.
Runyan shared that “When Cole Street first opened its doors, its mission was simple: be a light to the community of Bushnell through great service, great products, and giving back to the community.” Customers drop their tips into the jar (or through the card reader), and at the end of the month, every cent is handed over to a chosen local cause.
“It’s just amazing how generous the community has been when given a simple way to give back a little at a time,” Runyan reflected.
The results have been nothing short of remarkable. After only five weeks in business, Cole Street Coffee House wrote its first check to the BAMA Help & Hope Food Pantry for more than $2,500. Since then, the shop has become a huge aid to numerous organizations across Bushnell. Besides the Food Pantry, the local Youth for Christ program, the community pool, the Fire Protection Department, the Community VBS, and the Park District’s Angel Park fund have been among the top recipients of the shop’s unique mission. Funds have also supported the Junior Football League, the B-PC FFA, Christmas Boxes, the Mosaic Day Program, the B-PC Weight Room, the B-PC After-prom, the Recreation Center, the B-PC PTO, the Police DARE Program, the B-PC Band Boosters, and the B-PC Character Counts PBIS Program.
One especially meaningful recipient was the Allison McEwen Memorial for Trinity Academy. Allison was the original manager who helped shape Cole Street from its early planning stages, but in 2022 was diagnosed with cancer. As opening day slowly approached, Runyan stepped in to help with varying levels of management. Allison resigned in January 2024 and passed in October of the same year. This month of donations was deeply personal for the Cole Street team, as it allowed them to honor Allison’s legacy through the very mission she had devoted herself to. “She hand-picked her memorial before she passed, and we honored her wishes,” Runyan shared.
For those who wish to be considered as a future tip jar recipient, applications are available at the coffee house. And for those who simply want to make a difference with their morning coffee, Cole Street remains a place where every cup poured is another step toward strengthening a community.