Coffee Strong -- GI Coffee House Perking Along

Tweet Portion below; whole thing (via Mark Jensen's report) here: http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/military/story/566421.html

Army Pfc. Ramona Schrupp ordered her usual beverage at Lakewood’s new coffee shop: a soy vanilla latte with two shots of espresso.

The soldier with the 51st Signal Brigade at Fort Lewis has visited Coffee Strong about eight or nine times since it opened Nov. 5.

The coffeehouse was started by veterans opposed to the war in Iraq. But Schrupp said organizers support the troops without pushing a political agenda.

The 20-year-old says she likes the atmosphere and loves the java.

“I’d rather come here than a Starbucks,” Schrupp said after placing her order Thursday.

Coffee Strong, whose name plays on the Army’s slogan “Army Strong,” has been open a little more than a month. The owners and staff say they’re pleased with their small but loyal following, given their obscure location and lack of advertising.

The shop is located in Tillicum at 15109 Union Ave S.W. and overlooking Interstate 5. The owners pay $1,500 a month to share a building with a Subway sandwich shop. Passers-by still see the name of the previous coffee shop, Java Flow, that operated in the space.

But being close to the gates of Fort Lewis has its benefits, said barista Michael William. He’s one of the shop’s six trained “counselors” who work to connect soldiers with resources to help them understand their rights.

The 26-year-old former private first class in the Army National Guard said most customers learn of Coffee Strong by word of mouth. The shop already has its regulars.

“I would say for not even having the right sign up, I think we’re doing pretty good,” he said.

Seth Manzel, the shop’s co-founder and a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, expected to get some backlash from people who support the war. He says he hasn’t personally received criticism so far, although that might have to do with people not knowing he’s open.

Fort Lewis spokesman Joe Kubistek said the post is aware of Coffee Strong’s presence and political views. It’s a legal business so there’s no need to restrict soldiers from going there, he said.