The Corner Cup is a Coffeehouse for Community

If you watched a popular show in the '80's called Cheers, then you have a good idea what a place is like to hang out where people know your name. The Corner Cup coffeehouse in Decatur and Tucker, Georgia is just such a place. Opened in 2016 and 2018 respectively, Rich Lavery and Michael Vorndran wanted somewhere patrons could not only get a great cup of coffee but feel they were part of the community at large. We like to stop by and get something to drink and eat and work or visit with friends. And, you frequently see people you know doing the same. Recently, we had the chance to sit down with Michael and talk about the Corner Cup and what it means to be a part of the local community.

The first thing you notice upon entering their locations is the art displayed on the walls. They like to support local creatives and feature their work for sale. At their Tucker location you can currently see artwork by Jeffree Lerner. He's a self-taught artist and his paintings have a folk art feel to them. Jeffree is a Tucker native.

The next thing you'll find is their extensive beverage menu along with baristas with a flair for customer service. They offer their regular menu and seasonal beverages. One popular seasonal drink is the Lavendar latte which is offered in the spring and summer. Got to catch it while you can.

Speaking with Michael you can feel the passion he has for the business. He cares about what they have to offer and the way they serve the community. They do their best to keep the resources they use locally to support the economy around them.

Tell us a little about your background.

Rich is the original founder of the Corner Cup Coffee. He has spent his entire career in the hospitality industry. I came on board in the summer of 2017. I have a varied background that includes being a server and barista in college, but most of my professional experience has been some form of operations management.  

What coffee brand do you serve and where is it sourced from?

All our beans are locally roasted by Beanology/JavaVino. Most of the beans come from a farm named Selva Negra in Nicaragua. Selva Negra is owned and operated by the family of Beanology. While we focus on the beans from Sleva Negra we do also offer other varietals as well including: Tanzanian Pea Berry, Sumatra, Columbian and Papua New Guinea.

Do you make the baked goods you serve in the shops? Who makes them? 

We use a variety of local bakers for our products. Some of the bakers include: Duck’s Cosmic Kitchen, Alon’s Bakery, Crown Bakery, and Heavenly Cakes.

What do you like about coffee?

I have been drinking coffee since I was about 14 years old, so coffee to me is home. The comfort of the first sip of coffee in the morning is something that is hard to beat.

What is your favorite coffee drink?

Personally, I am a black coffee kind of guy. However, on occasion I mix things up a little bit and get our Bee Naughty! It is like comfort in a cup!

What do you enjoy most about your customers?

We have some of the best customers a business could ask for. During the Covid lockdown of 2020 we saw many customers rise to the occasion and support not only the business, but our employees as well. Seeing the generosity of our community really made me happy to be part of this community.

Do you have a favorite or unusual customer service story?

My favorite moment from the last 5 years is one day a co-worker and I were having some fun with a couple of regular customers, just joking around with each other. A new customer walked in, got her coffee, listened to what we were saying, fixed her coffee and as she was leaving, she raised her hand in the air and said, “I love this place.” She is now a regular.  

What was appealing about opening shops in Tucker?

The thing we learned from the first location is that a coffee shop can really be a place that helps the community around it. We not only provide good coffee and food, but we also give the community a safe place to meet someone for the first time, get some work done with out the chaos of homelife getting in the way and we can also be a place the community gathers to learn more about each other. With that in mind we set our sights on downtown Tucker so we could literally be in the middle of it all.

How is Corner Cup involved in the Tucker community?

We have a backroom that we allow the community to use for no charge. People have used it for informational meetings, classes, birthday parties, game nights, Coffee with a Cop and it has become the unofficial home of The Tucker Running Club.

They've also sponsored swim teams in the area and school events like the Tucker High School's reading club that went to a regional competition. Donated coffee to volunteers at the Clyde Shepherd nature preserve as well as financially supported them.

What do you want people to know about Corner Cup?

I want people to know that The Corner Cup Coffee is a safe space for everyone in the community. And we have the best coffee and staff in all of Metro Atlanta!  Hands down!

Chain coffeehouses may pop up everywhere, but for a unique place to hang out and feel good about your money giving back try out the Corner Cup today. We promise its hand-crafted beverages and customer service will turn you into a regular. And if you see Michael, say hi.