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Ashlyn Leath

Professor Isabell Hope Garcia

English 134

16 January 2024

Cup of Joy

Joy: to experience great pleasure or delight, to rejoice (dictionary.com) It's a feeling that

can be sparked by the simplest of things—an unexpected compliment, a beautiful sunset, or a

warm embrace. But how is it that a place can evoke such emotion? Or how is it that a sip of

coffee, seemingly mundane, can ignite joy within you? Joy, unlike mere happiness, transcends

deeper, resonating within the soul. You will come to understand this by simply stepping into

Kuppa Joy Coffee House, a realm where joy is palpable, each interaction being infused with

warmth and authenticity. You walk in and are immediately welcomed with warm smiles, the

barista greets you by name and is anticipating your typical order, time seems to pause, allowing

you to fully immerse yourself in the present moment. It is not just the coffee that sets Kuppa joy

apart, it is the sense of community. Genuine relationships are fostered, friendships are forged,

and connections are made over shared experiences and shared cups of coffee. It's a place where

strangers become friends, where loners find belonging, and where the simple act of sitting down

for a cup of coffee becomes a catalyst for joyous encounters. Kuppa joy: a place that nurtures

pure joy.

Coffee shops, while now ubiquitous in modern society, were not always so. Previously,

pubs were the center of individuals social lives and community. The transition from pubs to

coffee shops has marked a significant cultural shift, reflecting evolving societal norms. Unlike

the rowdy atmosphere associated with pubs, coffee shops offer a space where one can savor a
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beverage, perhaps indulge in a snack, take a break from work, and engage in social interaction

(Ferreira). Beyond the mere consumption of beverages, coffee shops have become hubs of

creativity and intellectual exchange. They serve as meeting grounds for artists, writers,

entrepreneurs, and students, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. In these spaces,

ideas are born, friendships are made, and partnerships are sealed over steaming cups of coffee

and freshly baked pastries. It is worth noting that coffee shops offer a heightened level of socially

acceptance, especially during daylight hours, making them a welcoming and safe place to gather.

Coffee shops embody more than just a place to grab a caffeine fix, they represent a lifestyle, a

philosophy, and a shared experience. As symbols of urban culture, they continue to shape our

social landscape and inspire the next generation of innovators and dreamers.

Zach Follett, freshly retired from the NFL, found himself in Costa Coffee in Great

Marlow, UK. Surrounded by the inviting scent of coffee and the comforting hum of conversation,

a profound realization struck him, “people connect over coffee” (“About”). With that insight

tucked into his heart, he went home to Clovis, California determined to translate this realization

to action. His mission was clear: “[o]pen a coffee shop in order to connect [his] community”

(“About”). In 2012, the first Kuppa Joy opened its doors in Clovis, California driven not only by

the mission to provide exceptional coffee but also to passionately embody true joy, love, and

authenticity.

From 2012 to current day their commitment to this goal remains the same, fueling

remarkable success that persists to this day. Now having seven locations all with unique

atmospheres, each made to foster community of a different crowd. Josh Manning, an avid Kuppa

Joy drinker, stated “If I need to get work done, Palm location it is. If I want to go get coffee with

a group of friends, I’d go to the Grand Cafe. If I want all the typical coffee shop vibes, I would
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go to Clovis location.” The diversity of vibes among the different Kuppa Joy locations is crucial

to the success, and so is knowing that no matter which location you go to your coffee will be

brewed to perfection and taste consistently delightful. Each atmosphere caters to unique

preferences, creating a welcoming space for a wide variety of individuals to enjoy their favorite

brews with their favorite people.

A common critique of large corporation coffee shops, such as Starbucks, is that they do

not foster communication between their customers. At large chain coffee shops it is likely for

people to get their drinks to-go and have isolated table fostering individuality and a place where

people are not likely to be disturbed by others. However, small local coffee shops like Kuppa

Joy, want the opposite for their consumers. Having fun mugs, large tables for people to gather at,

and an inviting environment. There is a sense of intentionality from Kuppa Joy to foster this

community.

Although there are great efforts made by Kuppa Joy as a company to create this

community, it must be carried out by the employees. One of Kuppa Joy’s employee’s, Griffin

Bletscher, explains the rigorous training

that employee’s go through before ever

having their first shift: “we are trained to

a professional level, from our knowledge

on the beans to the perfect pour of latte

art. But more importantly, we are taught

to remember names and orders, engage

in conversations at check out, and offer a

smile when someone walks in or out.

Kuppa Joy employee handing customer drink at a Joy Thru window. The
employee has a big smile and kind body language towards customer.
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Showing love to all because ultimately, we are all a part of the same community.” As seen in the

photograph above, Kuppa Joy employees really do show joy in the seemingly mundane things,

such as handing a customer their drink at their Joy thru (Kuppa Joy’s version of a drive through).

The composition of the image seems to focus primarily on the interaction between the employee

and the customer, highlighting the interpersonal aspect of the service encounter. The employee's

smile appears genuine, conveying warmth, friendliness, and a positive attitude towards the

customer. This smile likely serves multiple purposes: to create a welcoming atmosphere, to

express appreciation for the customer's patronage, and to potentially enhance the customer's

overall experience. The customer's response or expression, unfortunately, is not visible in the

photograph, but one can imagine that the employee's smile might elicit a positive reaction or

reciprocation from them. This interaction, captured in the moment, reflects the essence of good

customer service: attentiveness, friendliness, and a genuine desire to meet the customer's needs.

This commitment to fostering a sense of belonging highlights Kuppa Joy's role not just as a

provider of coffee but also as a space for cultivating connections and nurturing community spirit.

Josh notes that he has been able to make a couple friendships with other frequent Kuppa

Joy drinkers, emphasizing that being willing to talk about the book you’re reading or asking

someone in line how their day is going helps to build these relationships’. The root of being able

to form these relationships is built from the coffee shop having a friendly atmosphere which

subconsciously encourages spontaneous conversations to blossom between individuals. Building

these friendships with others encourages consumers to continue to go to Kuppa Joy. Josh also

shared, “walking into a Kuppa Joy spotting familiar faces feels like a warm embrace, reassuring

me that amidst the ever-changing world, some things remain constant and welcoming.” Kuppa

Joy is a place where people from diverse backgrounds come together, fostering an environment
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of inclusivity and acceptance. In the

photograph to the left, we witness three

customers captured mid-cheer, the fact

that they are all raising their coffee cups

in unison indicates a shared moment of

celebration or enjoyment. This collective

Three Kuppa Joy customers smiling and cheering their coffees.

gesture of raising their cups in a cheer symbolizes a bond formed over a shared experience, in

this case, the enjoyment of Kuppa Joy coffee and each other's company. The smiles on the faces

of the customers are infectious, radiating genuine joy and happiness. Their expressions convey a

sense of genuine connection and camaraderie, reflecting the positive impact of social interaction.

Overall, this photograph beautifully encapsulates the spirit of community and friendship through

its depiction of shared joy, mutual support, and genuine connection. It serves as a heartwarming

reminder of the positive impact of interpersonal relationships and shared experiences on our

lives, underscoring the importance of nurturing and cherishing our connections with others. The

act of cheering with their coffee cups not only signifies their appreciation for the beverage but

also serves as a visual representation of their shared enjoyment and friendship. Griffin was able

to share an even deeper insight on creating this environment, explaining how it all begins with

the friendships between the employees and the higher ups, and the employees with each other.

He has found true friendship with the other employees, and his store manager is now mentoring

him beyond the realm of coffee, but in life too.

In a world often marked by separation, Kuppa Joy stands out as a place of unity, where

individuals from all walks of life come together, united by their shared love for good coffee and

meaningful connections. It's more than just a coffee spot; it's a special place where friendships
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grow, good times happen, and people feel uplifted by the simple pleasure of genuine human

connection and of course good coffee.

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Works Cited

“About.” Kuppa Joy, https://kuppajoy.com/about/. Accessed 5 February 2024.

Ferreira, Jennifer, et al. “Spaces of consumption, connection, and community.” Exploring the role of the

coffee shop in urban lives, 2021. science direct,

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016718520303080?via%3Dihub. Accessed

5 February 2024.

“JOY Definition & Usage Examples.” Dictionary.com, https://www.dictionary.com/browse/joy.

Accessed 5 February 2024.

Manning, Josh. Personal Interview. 2 February 2024

Bletscher, Griffin. Personal Interview. 31 January 2024

@kuppajoycoffee. Photo of employee handing customer drink at Joy Thru. Instagram, 23 July 2021

@kuppajoycoffee. Photo of three customers cheering drinks at Kuppa Joy. Instagram, 1 September 2023
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Reflection

When first assigned the profile essay, I was at a loss for what to write about. When

thinking of people who influence change, the typical my mom and my grandma popped into my

head but once I really thought about it I knew that wasn’t what I wanted to write on. Later that

evening I was talking with my roommate about how no coffee shop in San Luis Obispo is quite

like Kuppa joy and it hit me, this was what I was going to write about. Growing up, I loved

Kuppa Joy, but once I was able to drive, I found myself there nearly every day. With such

familiarty with Kuppa Joy, I knew who I was going to interview immediately, the people who

were my community at Kuppa Joy. I am hoping my profile essay encourages others to be open to

communicating with others when doing mundane tasks such as getting a coffee instead of

conforming to societies norm of to-go orders and being closed off. For EO 1, the audience

influences the style and content given because I know most, if not all the individuals who find

themselves reading my essay have never tried Kuppa Joy. Whereas my friends from home, I

wouldn’t have to provide that kind of context. For EO 3, the writing process is necessary because

before really thinking about it I had no clue what to write and I realized that after doing the

brainstorm activity. EO 5, for me I had to keep out the religious side of Kuppa Joy’s mission

because I didn’t feel it was necessarily appropriate for the prompt. Although for me the religious

side helped me feel comfortable and welcome there to read my bible or have a deep conversation

with a friend or a mentor. I think the strongest part of my final draft is the imagery I provided to

help the reader feel like they are in Kuppa Joy, and the weakest I think is the flow between my

photo analysis and other sentences.