Mother battles childhood cancer one

coffee at a time

By: Alyssa Jones

Robyn Matthews couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw 42 cars wrapped
around her 200-square-foot business, White Duck Espresso.
After opening in April, the small, family-owned coffee shop took off with the
people near the store on U.S. 19 in New Port Richey. Many locals put their trust
in Matthews’ hands during the coronavirus pandemic. 

“I think it’s been really helpful for people to go somewhere where they feel
safe. And that they’re doing something in their day, especially in the beginning
when everything shut down, people just needed something to do in a day,”
Matthews said. 

Yet, the reason behind the opening of White Duck Espresso was more than
just a place to get coffee. After losing her 2-year-old son in 2010 to a rare form
of cancer called neuroblastoma, Matthews decided to open her coffee shop
dedicated to her son. 
Partnering with the charity Beat Childhood Cancer, Matthews has managed to
keep the memory of her son alive. With every purchase, a portion of the sale
goes to Beat Childhood Cancer. The nonprofit organization was parent-founded
and led, leading to new clinical trials and research in over 45 hospitals across
North America. 
For Matthews, the business kept her connected to her son’s memory.

“I needed a way to still be his mom. That’s what he had given me, to be his
mom. And the only way I could think to do that was to change this story for the
next family,” Matthews said. 

White Duck Espresso is stocked with over 75 different flavors and locally
roasted coffee. With so many flavors and drink options from an americano to a
marshmallow mocha and their plant-based energy drinks, there is something
for everyone to enjoy. 

“The community is the reason why for that, and our baristas. We couldn’t do
any of this without the amazing team we have. That will be our legacy,”
Matthews said. 

White Duck Espresso is open on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 7p.m. and

weekends from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.