Cabot, Arkansas boasts charming coffee shops that are not just about delicious brews but also about community contribution. Among these, Brew YaYa Coffee + Roaster and Grinds Coffee Co stand out for their aromatic blends, cozy atmospheres, and commitment to giving back.
Brew YaYa Coffee + Roaster
Since its inception in 2015, Brew YaYa has become a beloved fixture in Cabot’s coffee scene, driven by the vision of its owners, Cheri and Barry Adams. Cheri reflects on their journey, stating, “It was both of our vision. God had led me to certain things. I didn’t really know yet it was gonna be a coffee shop. Actually, I thought it was gonna be a music venue, and I was just there gonna serve coffee and talk. But God just started putting things on our heart, and I felt like he had put me in different ministeries in the church. I didn’t realize at that time when he was working on me that he was working on this, and this was gonna be a ministry.”
The mother and son duo actively supports local organizations like Hope’s Closet and Pantry, an organization providing food and clothing to those in need. “We work together,” Cheri Adams said. “We offer our place one night a month. She cooks a dinner for the community. It’s all donation only, but it’s been going great. She’s raising money that she’s able to feed people sometimes for two months.”
Barry Adams highlighted their collaboration with The Van, a mobile resource organization aiding the homeless, stating, “We try to stay active within the community both through religious sectors and also with plutonic sectors as well.” Additionally, Brew YaYa extends a helping hand to individuals in the community, exemplified by their initiative to collect funds for a bereaved family during Christmas.
“The whole community got involved,” Cherri Adams said. “All we were doing at that time was supplying their Christmas. We just wanted to take that off her shoulders. … They went far beyond that, and I thought it was just absolutely wonderful.”
For Barry, giving back to Cabot is about reciprocating the impact the community has had on him. “There’s various people throughout this community that have made an impact on me, and so I was like let’s make an impact on this community too. Let’s keep paying it forward.”
Grinds Coffee Co
Also opened in 2015, Grinds Coffee Co, another cornerstone of Cabot’s coffee culture, thrives under the ownership of Cari and John Stout. Cari recounts their unexpected journey into the coffee business, stating, “We both wanted to open something. Never did I think it would be a coffee shop. … The previous owners were just letting it go down, and they’d only been here like six months. So we bought all the rights and everything to it and kind of trained ourselves and went from there.” Yet, their dedication to revitalizing the establishment reflects their commitment to both quality coffee and community service.
Grinds honors military members and first responders with discounts as a token of appreciation for their sacrifices. Cari’s personal connection to law enforcement fuels this gesture. “They put their lives on the line everyday for us, whether it be military going to other countries like we’re dealing with now, whether it be a policeman that’s doing it every shift. … You hear all these horrible stories. It’s just a way for us to give back. It’s not much, but we do appreciate (them).”
Moreover, Grinds contributes gift cards to local fundraisers and serves as a gathering place for various community groups, opening its doors early for a morning devotional once a month. “We open up a half hour early for them, so we open up at 6 instead of 6:30 just so they can have their morning devotional.”
Reflecting on their community involvement, Cari emphasizes their mission to redefine perceptions and spread positivity. “We just wanted to reverse people’s mindset on their bad experiences here and turn it into something good. … They all now say what a difference it’s made. It’s like a total 360. They love it now. We take care in what we do. We take care in what we make.”
Brew YaYa Coffee + Roaster and Grinds Coffee Co aren’t just coffee shops; they’re engines of community spirit. Through their dedication to local initiatives and acts of kindness, these establishments have become integral parts of Cabot. With every sip of coffee, residents can take pride in supporting businesses that prioritize making a positive impact on their community.
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