TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
As for the coffee itself, the team worked hard to curate a cup as good as, or better than, any other in the world. To accomplish this, they decided to purchase their beans through micro-roasters such as Greater Goods out of Austin, Texas. “They are a smaller company, that affords them the luxury to experiment and do what they want to do in the way they want to,” Josh said. “Everything is roasted there in Austin. They have team members onsite at the farms, allowing them to know exactly what that particular lot tastes like that year. They can then get exactly the lots they want [and] develop a profile specific to those beans.” The Peeks and Wiggins were also very excited that micro-roasters buy directly from the farmers, cutting out the wholesaler in the middle, so the farmer can better support his/her family. “We want to be great citizens of Nash and be local, present, and part of our schools. Because of our choices with the specialty coffee industry, those growers who are steps back in the coffee chain are also enjoying a better quality of life,” said Josh. Due to the detail that is put into every ingredient and item on the menu, Local Habit is already building up a regular clientele and developing relationships with the community around them. Manager Carington Bright added, “It has been really cool to see the different regulars. Even each barista has his/her own regulars that come at specific times of the day or when they know that person is working. It is also cool to see downstairs where people are having meetings. People have a Bible study or just sit, laugh, and drink, creating that place for community to happen.” Carington then shared stories about some of the regulars, telling about a particular customer who grew up playing with one of the kids who lived in the house, Mr. Brown. He still comes almost daily to sit on the front porch and reminisce. Two other noteworthy customers are
the granddaughters of the lady that owned the house for so many years. They enjoy seeing the house full of so much life and love, and they always seem to have a story to share when they come by. It is safe to say that the community the Peeks and Wiggins dreamed of is coming to fruition and that Local Habit is becoming one of the best habits around. “Food is a comfort thing. Coffee is a comfort thing. We wanted people to be able to come and enjoy that inner feeling in a space where they were comfortable. What better place than an old home, right where somebody was comfortable,” said Natalie. “And what better way to send them out the door than encouraging them to ‘go make something good happen.’”
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BUSINESS & POLITICS
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