Why Throw a Party for Your Neighbors this Season?

Much is said about nosey or noisy neighbors. Given the chance, would we really want to get to know our neighbors next door or would they just cause more trouble than they’re worth? Don’t we already have enough relationships to keep busy with, especially in our virtual communities? Who has time to talk with our neighbors or do a community service project when there’s a whole new set of status updates on Facebook? It’s so much safer behind our computers too.

Maybe I’m being overly optimistic but I see great potential in neighbors coming together socially and with a purpose.  Neighbors can do so much more together to benefit each other, their neighborhood and the world than a community that only exists online. Just as conversations can be more informative and productive when you can see everyone’s face and body expressions so too community dialogue and action can be more informative and productive when people gather together in the same room or on the same sidewalk.

Here’s a new phrase I picked up about neighbors: “Nothing makes you more tolerant of a neighbor's noisy party than being there.” What if we got to know our neighbors so well that they invite us to their parties? Even better, what if we threw a party and invited our neighbors? Tis the Season.

To that end, if you're reading this blog and you live nearby, you're invited to our 3rd Annual Holiday Wine Tasting.  :)

What We're Thankful For

I'm listing them as I think of them (not in order of importance).

• Friends, Family and Roommates - YOU are a huge encouragement as we take risks.  I can't begin to express how much you mean to me.
• Our Customers and Donors - YOU are helping to make Overflow a reality.  Every little bit counts!
• The South Loop - for inspiring me each and every day to live life on purpose
• Coffee - I wouldn't be where I am without you.  :)

Comment and share things you're thankful for!  We'd love to hear.

Introducing: Overflow Holiday Gift Bags!

Support Overflow and give a gift that supports fair-labor and environmentally-sustainable practices!

CREATE YOUR OWN!  Select your own unique variety of coffee, tea, hot cocoa, chocolate and Overflow branded items.  You check off what you want in the bag and we'll put it together for you.  You can select one item, 5 of the items, or all the items, it's up to you.

First download the product descriptions HERE.

Then download the order form HERE.

Email us the order form and we'll send you an invoice within the next 48 hours.

New Pics of Our Space

From the entrance looking at the wall the counter will be along.

From the back wall looking at the entrance.  (I took this pic with my phone so the quality isn't good since there's lots of light coming in the windows along State Street.)

Why a Coffee Bar?

After oil, coffee is the 2nd most widely traded product in the world. Its impact on human cultures and the natural environment extends literally around the world. Every cup of coffee we buy and drink connects us with a web a hidden stories.

It takes hundreds of people to get each bean from plant to cup. The leading producers of coffee are developing countries in Latin American, Africa and Asia. A major source of income, coffee is critical to their economies. Yet, less than 15% of the revenues end up in their hands. The United States consumes over 18 million 60 kg bags of coffee per year.  We have the potential to change the circumstances for developing counties – getting more revenue directly into the hands of the communities that grow and harvest the coffee beans. Our choices as consumers make a real difference in their lives.

Organic, shade-grown coffee is emphasized for its environmental benefits over sun-grown coffee that requires more chemical pesticides and clear-cutting of forests. Shade-grown coffee also helps to protect wildlife, like North American birds while wintering in South America, chimpanzees near the Gombe reserve and tigers in southern India.

Coffee bars serve as “third place” where people go to get away from home or work and feel comfortable and connected with their neighbors. Historically, coffeehouses have been known for their political conversations. In the 1700s, coffeehouses were linked to the Boston Tea Party and the French Revolution. In the mid-1900s, coffeehouses were venues for convention-challenging art. Today, a coffee bar helps to connect those who live in an individualistic society. Neighbors who would not meet otherwise can become friends over a freshly brewed cup.

When Overflow Coffee Bar opens, South Loopers can change the situation for coffee farmers around the world, save the environment, and become friends with other South Loopers.  At Overflow Coffee Bar we will change the world one cup at a time.