BLOC Coffee: Gathering a Community; Transforming a Neighborhood
Written by Abby Farr. Photography by Moriah Kenton.
From its mission to its food and drinks, BLOC Coffee, established in 2007 at the heart of the Incline District in Price Hill, has something really special going. The location may seem top-secret to many Cincinnatians, but this hidden treasure needs to be exposed.
Having just wrapped up a sweet conversation with one of BLOC’s founders, Stephanie Young, it’s no secret why it’s a success. Not only does her very presence radiate joy, but her outlook of “I get to do this” is also so authentic. But what exactly is “it” that she gets to do?
The acronym “BLOC” stands for “Believing in the power of hope to save; Living where we serve by being consistently present in our community; One to one relationships and mentorship; Christ in us in all that we do.” Their mission: “building relationships with our neighbors and sharing hope in brokenness.”
It’s evident as I look around the beautiful, restored building, that each individual who works there is walking out that mission.
BLOC Coffee began with a spark from local Price Hill visionaries longing to transform a struggling block of Price Hill. The neighborhood was stuck in a whirlpool of drugs and prostitution, and they couldn’t see their way out alone.
But how can one coffee shop play a transformative role in uplifting a block of the city with an embedded history of crime? According to Stephanie, that begins and ends with relationships.
The coffee shop is just one leg of their organization. The first step to getting women off the street and out of dire situations is providing them an overnight shelter to meet their basic needs.
“It’s just joyful to be able to watch a woman [realize her] infinite worth. You can’t describe that. It’s incredible.”
From there, they can move into a more permanent setting at BLOC’s Redeemed Home. This space is the home of up to 10 women at any given time, mostly from the local Price Hill area, who commit to a 90-day course that allows them to rediscover their worth and build a new life. The foundation of the course is regaining the ability to trust again – no easy endeavor.
Stephanie sums up the personal impact she’s experienced with, “It’s just joyful to be able to watch a woman [realize her] infinite worth. You can’t describe that. It’s incredible.”
Unveiling the mask of pain, choosing a path to recovery entails relearning basic life skills and holistic care. These women must overcome deeply rooted trust issues. That can only come with one of BLOC’s underlying missions: “supporting the personal growth of ourselves, our neighbors and our city through the power of community.” It’s no wonder the entire full-time staff resides in the Price Hill neighborhood, maintaining authentic neighborhood sustainability.
BLOC Coffee not only empowers but also employs. It’s at this darling coffee shop the staff implements their philosophy of “uniting ‘third place’ principles with ‘third wave’ coffee practices is one of the many ways we can share hope in brokenness.” In other words, they serve the highest quality coffee with an outstanding purpose.
The owners put their money where their mouth is by giving their net profits directly to their “Weightless Anchor” and “Redeemed Home” programs.
With such a solid foundation in all regards, it’s no wonder this small business has endured during these unpredictable times. They have plans to renovate and open their second floor to use for event and conference space, and a softer environment with comfy couches and chairs.
BLOC Coffee also boasts an in-house chef who prepares a delicious, homemade breakfast menu – I’ll vouch for having sampled their waffles with blueberries and homemade whipped cream. They source their offerings as locally as possible; from being one of Deeper Roots’ first vendors to 16 Bricks Bread, in addition to selling Queen City Clay pottery and locally made kombucha. They even carry screen-printed tees crafted at their very own BLOC Screen Printing.
Sharing a conversation with Stephanie on a sunny Wednesday morning was a true delight, and I’m already looking forward to my next trip back to BLOC Coffee. If you’re passionate about supporting local businesses, I believe there’s no better spot to venture to than BLOC Coffee.
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