I'm a creature of habit. Mornings are about a quick breakfast, a trip to the gym, and home to shower before the next set of activities. I rarely deviate from this schedule; however, today I changed my routine and stopped at an independent coffee shop.
Not just any shop, either. Sam Malek, the owner of More Than Coffee, is a celebrity in the St. Louis area. Sam, who has cerebral palsy, has been running his store for almost a year now. He was born in Egypt, came to the US as a child and was helped by the Shriners. In appreciation of all the help he's received, he donates a portion of the sales each month to local charities. He also hires people with special needs to work in the shop.
Back in the fall some of his patrons organized Sam's Day to honor him and his ideas. According to the local media, thousands of people came on that day. I wanted to go then, but didn't, then somehow never got around to it (even though I drive by the kiosk every day).
When I drove up to the kiosk today, there were several cars in the drive-through lane waiting for their order. I decided to get out of my car and approach on foot. The workers couldn't have been nicer! I was asked what I wanted in my coffee (cream and sweetener), and it was prepared perfectly. Sam started telling me all the options I had if I came at lunchtime, and I started getting hungry even though it was only 9:15 in the morning!
This may have been my first visit to More Than Coffee, but it won't be my last.
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Kathy,
ReplyDeleteI read that story a while ago and was so inspired to make a visit. Where is it located? My parents live in West County. I should stop in on my next visit to their home.
Ashley
The address is 14240 Manchester Rd. It's slightly east of 141, in the same shopping center as Uncle Sam's. The kiosk sits in the middle of the parking lot. You can't miss it.
ReplyDeleteNIce to know this gentleman is doing so well, going up against the likes of Starbucks, especially with a drive-thru. A lot of those in our area have shut down or have been made over to something else besides coffee. Your economy must be doing better than ours, too.
ReplyDeleteWish we had something like that in the UK.. instead we have the major outlets or occasionally very expensive boutique coffee shops but never a good cup of coffee when you want one.
ReplyDeleteLove the blog, keeps drawing me back.
So, do they actually have more than coffee? What kind of other food/drinks do they have? I think I know what kiosk you are talking about, and I never have been there either - but I may have to stop by next time I'm in St. Louis.
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