Rohs serves up coffee, conversations

Next to the sanctuary of University Christian Church in Clifton Heights, college students, community organizers and poets trickle in and out the doors of Rohs Street Café, which has been serving up fair-trade coffee, local music and community since 2003. The Café started with two goals in mind: create a place that fosters relationships and, eventually, give back to the community.

When UCC pastor Troy Jackson and Les Stoneham decided to open Rohs Street, they had three main pillars to guide them -- justice, art and community.

Justice comes in part in the form of the fair-trade coffee; Rohs Street Café was the first spot in town to serve only fair or direct trade coffee. It also extends to relationships like the ones that church and café staff have developed with coffee farmers at La Armonia Hermosa in Guatemala, where they visit annually.

“Fair trade or direct trade isn’t a perfect model to fix trade,” says Austin Coop, general manager of Rohs Street Café. “It can serve as a starting point for more conversations about justice.”

While Rohs Street wasn’t created to bring a stream of revenue back to UCC, but once the café is self-sustaining and does turn a profit, Coop says that money will go directly back into the community.

Art comes mostly in the form of live music at Rohs Street. With a long-standing tradition as one of the most intimate venues in town, the café has been a part of the Clifton Heights Music Festival and other events. In addition, as one of few local music venues that doesn’t serve alcohol, Rohs Street’s open mic night gives young musicians a place to play.

“We wanted to be a spot where aspiring musicians can be heard,” Coop says.

The community at Rohs Street is a mix of the employees, volunteers and customers. Coop has been the GM for only seven months, and stands as the least-tenured employee. Several regular customers end up volunteering as baristas to learn about coffee, or just spend more time at the café.

The comfortable atmosphere and some of the best coffee in town keeps people coming back for more.

“There’s something about a cup of coffee that brings people together,” Coop says.

Do Good:

Buy a cup of coffee: Support the farmers, Rohs Street café and the community.

Attend a local show: Many shows are free or only a small cover fee and directly support the local musicians.

Have a conversation about justice: Whether it be personal relationships or the effects of Fair Trade coffee, explore what you can do to make the community a better place.

By Evan Wallis