Pop-up coffee shop opens in the ’05 – Rowe Coffee Co.
What makes a good cup of coffee? Is it the taste? Is it the experience? Or is it something greater? California transplant Andrew Rowe was 23 when he started Rowe Coffee Co. as a pop-up bar with a few friends. After years of offering pop-ups at events, Rowe is starting the next chapter in its expansion in Fort Wayne. This month Rowe Coffee Co. is now offering a pop-up coffee shop experience inside the Urban Attic Pop-up Shop in the East State Neighborhood (2329 Crescent Ave.). The pop-up is taking place throughout the month of February from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Thinking ethically “Our slogan – ‘doing good coffee for the greater good’ – that was kind of what we base all of our decisions on,” Rowe said. “From hiring somebody or from choosing the pour-overs to how we’re sourcing the beans.” After immersing himself in literature, classes and video tutorials, Rowe has continued to research ways to make beverages better. “I started looking at ways to source coffee more responsibility, more ethically, more consciously,” Rowe said. As a result, Rowe explored topics like human trafficking and slavery in coffee’s supply chains. “We want make sure everything is ethically sourced,” Rowe said. “Before I chose Yellow Cup [Coffee Roasters] as our primary roaster, I had asked him to give me some details on how he knows that child labor and slave labor is not used.” Rowe worked with Yellow Cup to develop the Rowe Coffee Co. blend. The blend, which is 50 percent Ethiopian and 50 percent Colombian, pairs well with milk. Rowe performed numerous taste tests to find his signature blend. Rowe estimates he went through five-to-six Ethiopian samples before he found the perfect blend. In addition to seeking out ethically-sourced products, Rowe Coffee Co. also donates ten percent of profits to Charity Water, a non-profit organization with a mission to bring clean, safe drinking water to people in developing countries. In 2018, Rowe Coffee Co. helped 18 individuals get access to water. Community matters After this month’s pop-up, Rowe hopes to eventually develop a full-scale coffee shop by 2020. In this space, customers will be able to experience interactive coffee culture right in the ’05. “I’d love to see a community built around Rowe Coffee Co. and this space specifically,” Rowe said. “I really want to be bringing together the coffee community, as well.” Rowe envisions activities like latte art throwdowns and coffee competitions. With interactive events, local coffee shops and baristas can learn and grow together in this field. Rowe also has been surprised by how much support he sees in Fort Wayne after coming...
Pasjion Daniels, Force Community – Entrepreneurship Spotlight
The “Living Fort Wayne Entrepreneurship Spotlight” series returns today with a spotlight on a unique boutique public relations agency. Pasjion Daniels, owner of Force Community, answered our small business questionnaire recently. Ms. Daniels operates her business from the Atrium co-working space in downtown Fort Wayne where she also serves as supervisor Here’s what she had to say about her journey as an entrepreneur in northeast Indiana. What is Force Community? Force Community is a boutique PR agency that focuses’ on community engagement, and event planning and designing. Force is owned by Pasjion Daniels, who desires to host and bring “un ordinary” events to Fort Wayne through Force Community. It all started with the “When Life Hands You Lemons Brunch” event dedicated to creatives and bloggers. The brunch gave them skills to get over sore spots in business, and provided a safe place to network. From there, Daniels took her desire for planning, designing, and career in PR to the next level. Force Community was birthed. Feel free to follow them on Instagram & Facebook at : @forcecommunity What made you decide to open a business in Fort Wayne? The vision that I had for my business was something that Fort Wayne lacked. I was tired of having to go to Indianapolis, Chicago, or Ohio to attend trendy and amazing events. Fort Wayne is growing, and there was no greater place to launch. What resource in the community has helped you thrive in the community? The Atrium! The Atrium is a coworking space downtown which has offered me the greatest connections and a greater network. It’s truly all about your network and the Atrium is the best place to grow in that area. Not to mention, I get to work a cool 9-5 there as well. 🙂 What is the biggest challenge you have worked to overcome in starting your business? Being a one-woman-show has so far been the biggest challenge. I am the content creator, creative director, accountant, social media manager, etc. It takes time, but it all gets done. What person has helped you the most in your journey? I would hands down have to say that Jesus himself has helped me the most on this journey. This journey of being an entrepreneur is no easy thing at all and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. When I’m overwhelmed or don’t have the knowledge in an area, I’m always free to go to him. What is some advice you would have for new entrepreneurs? The advice I would give new entrepreneurs is to take the vision and run with it. Everyone doesn’t have to believe in it, but if...
Rachel Stephens – Why Did You Stay Here?
Rachel Stephens, Managing Editor, Living Fort Wayne I went to school in northeast Indiana and admittedly, I wanted to leave as soon as I was 18. My angsty teenage self had some crazy idea that to be a “proper grown-up” I needed to leave my home town. After spending my first year of college away at Ball State University, I realized I missed Fort Wayne. Most of my free weekends were spent coming back to visit. I moved back and finished school at IPFW and loved the education I received there. Attending a smaller university gave me more opportunities to make connections with others in my degree program and in the community. I became interested in the region’s economic development and took an internship with the Regional Partnership and became a member of the Emerging Leaders Alliance. I love living in northeast Indiana because I can have a voice and make a difference here. YLNI’s Living Fort Wayne Committee wants to know your answers to one or both of these questions. “Why Did You Move Here?” or “Why Did You Stay Here?” Email your one-two paragraph answer to one of these questions to Tim Zink at timz@ylni.org. There are two photo options – you may include a professional headshot with your answers (quickest) or you can set up an appointment to have your photo taken later this summer. Please include your preferred name and title. Your photo and response may be used on YLNI’s Living Fort Wayne website, Facebook, Twitter, and/or...
Tiana Maclin – Why Did You Stay Here?
Tiana Maclin, Strategic Marketing Manager, Living Fort Wayne Growing up, my goal was to leave Indiana. “Anywhere else!”, I’d always say. The flat cornfields never appealed to my teenage self. As I aged, I decided to stay close to home for college. I was indifferent about my home state. At least I was away from my home town. This was a plus. Removing myself away from the similarity of it all opened my eyes a little wider and I looked around a little harder. I attended college at Manchester University. It is nestled in a small town of North Manchester, Indiana about 45 minutes from Fort Wayne. If we wanted to do anything at all in terms of quality entertainment outside of the campus, Fort Wayne was one of the cities we traveled to for the fun fix. This is where my heart started to soften for Indiana, and even more so for Fort Wayne. I didn’t fall in love with what Fort Wayne was but what it could become. It had this gleaming potential to become even greater, if only it had some people here to nourish it. I started to become more involved in Fort Wayne little by little from enjoying the activities to working here. I wanted to make a difference in the community. I am a firm believer that if you complain about it, you better do something about it to create change. This can be a simple vote in the direction you think will make a difference to joining boards of organizations. Why did I move here? I wanted to make a difference, grow the community, build pride in our region. I came here because of the opportunities. Fort Wayne will not drown out your voice. I came here for the people and their generosity. I am here to show young people that there is a future here. This is a place to set roots. YLNI’s Living Fort Wayne Committee wants to know your answers to one or both of these questions. “Why Did You Move Here?” or “Why Did You Stay Here?” Email your one-two paragraph answer to one of these questions to Tim Zink at timz@ylni.org. There are two photo options – you may include a professional headshot with your answers (quickest) or you can set up an appointment to have your photo taken later this summer. Please include your preferred name and title. Your photo and response may be used on YLNI’s Living Fort Wayne website, Facebook, Twitter, and/or...
Taking Flight at Sweet Aviation
Interview with Joel Pierce, Sweet Aviation (Video) 1955 North American T-28 Trojan 1945 North American AT-6 Texan Helicopter and Airplane Rides for All...
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