Bad Bunnies

What an odd name for a coffee shop!? We recently stumbled upon this lovely location as we explored new coffee shops around our new home. Picture this: an old library, ornate features and crown molding. Imagine neon signs and characturtures of bunnies plastered to the bathroom wall. It is quite unique.

When we walked up, an older couple behind the counter greeted us and took our orders. Pretty normal. What was not normal was how much these two PEOPLE saw other PEOPLE. About an hour or so into our stay, my love and I started having a more serious conversation about future decisions. It was a heavy conversation that, likely, neither one of us were prepared to have at this time. But we were having it. No tears were shed, but the heavinesss of the conversation was evident on our faces.

We were interrupted by the man from behind the counter with a coffee cake in hand, telling us, “This is for you.” I was stunned. We had already bought a coffee cake and we started to wonder if he was trying to sell us more. Before I could respond he walked away saying, “On the house.” Wow. I don’t know if he saw our conversation or gave them out to everyone, but wow. That changed our experience.  PEOPLE change your experience. We continued our serious conversation, but we felt just a bit lighter because of the coffee cake.

We stayed for at least another hour, seriousness on our faces still. As we got up to leave, the couple behind the counter offered my love a breakfast sandwich for the road. Again, stunned. We couldn’t take anymore free pastries, but the couple insisted. This sparked a conversation with them. They shared that they decided to open a coffee shop here after moving to the area. Wow … that was my dream someday. We shared that we were new to the area and that our preferred way of touring a new place is coffee shops.  “Us too! Where have you been?” They then proceeded to tell us of other shops they liked and we shared one they hadn’t heard of to go and try. Woah! They were so interested in us as PEOPLE that they broke business code to share with us other coffee shops we should try, other competitors we should try.

It is so jarring to be noticed, as a person, rather than as a customer. These PEOPLE saw us when things were getting serious, they saw us when we were leaving, they saw us as PEOPLE to share insights with. Their coffee shop was more than just for coffee; it was a place to cultivate LOVE by seeing the person beneath the PEOPLE who walked through their doors. If I ever own a coffee shop someday, I will remember Bad Bunnies.

When was the last time you were made to feel like a person?