After narrowly surviving pandemic, a faltering Olympia coffee shop rescued by community
It might be the only place left in town still asking customers to mask up, but Burial Grounds Coffee Collective in downtown Olympia is not your typical coffee shop. They have a “pay it forward” donation program that allows customers to donate in person and online to a fund that pays for free coffee and some food menu items for community members who can’t afford to pay themselves.
“Our customers are not wealthy people,” said co-owner Colin Bartlett in a recent interview with the Olympian. “We do a lot of mutual aid work.”
Bartlett, one of the shop’s seven co-owners, said they have given out about 8,000 cups of coffee per year over the last decade through the “pay it forward” program. The coffee shop hands out about 25 free cups per day and once even received a record-setting donation of $500 toward the program.
The collective-owned corner shop moved to its new home at 601 Capitol Way around the start of the pandemic. That, alongside a rise in housing prices since 2019 and slower-than-usual winter months, created myriad financial sustainability issues for Burial Grounds.
“The community has been disrupted by COVID as well as housing prices,” said Heather Chambers, another Burial Grounds co-owner, in an interview. She added that the shop’s stringent COVID procedures might have put some customers off. The shop continues to ask customers to wear a mask or proof of vaccination if sitting.
“We’ve been prioritizing our health and safety,” Chambers said.
Barlett added that there’s a certain demographic represented among a lot of those involved with Burial Grounds.
“We’re all working-class people; none of us are wealthy,” he said. “We have to try a lot harder.”
How Olympia rescued Burial Grounds
In the spirit of trying hard to make things work out, Bartlett, Chambers and their fellow co-owners decided in early October that it was time to sound the alarm that their closure was imminent. All the pressures of the business and recent stresses meant Burial Grounds would be closed by the end of October 2022.
“...a collection of expenses due at the end of October will be the nail in my coffin,” read an Instagram and Reddit post from earlier this month. The post went on to explain that in a last-ditch effort, a GoFundMe page for $5,000 was opened to try to cover the emergency expenses.
The original goal was met within less than 24 hours, ensuring Burial Grounds can continue to operate past October for certain. As of Wednesday, Burial Grounds had nearly met its secondary goal of $15,000 in donations from the local community. Those additional donations will go toward more long-term needs like becoming certified organic coffee roasters and a much-needed tuneup for their somewhat vintage espresso machine.
Oct. 20 Burial Grounds ‘funeral fundraiser’
Even though Burial Grounds won’t be closing anytime soon, they still plan to host what they are calling a “grand funeral fundraiser” party at the shop, followed by a procession to the nearby Crypt bar to continue the party with live music.
“We are going to put the fun back in funeral,” Chambers said, adding that it will ultimately also help kick-start their renewed commitment to live events and open mic nights.
The event starts at 7 p.m. on October 20 and is open to the public. People can also stop by during the day and share art items for auction. Those attending the evening events are encouraged to dress in their most creative funerary garb, just in time for Halloween.
“If your band/burlesque troupe/sad clown brigade/art vendor/tattoo shop would like to be involved in this event and help us raise money, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through Instagram @burialgroundscofee,” noted the GoFundMe page.
