We're
stretching our $20,000 goal by $3,000 to build bike parking for the
people! Specifically, bike parking in the shape of a potato masher!
Are we even Idahoans if we don't have potato themed functional art?!
We're
stretching our $20,000 goal by $3,000 to build bike parking for the
people! Specifically, bike parking in the shape of a potato masher!
Are we even Idahoans if we don't have potato themed functional art?!
Join us in our mission to create a vibrant, beautiful, functional, walkable and bikeable community gathering space -- complete with two (2!) patios -- for the West Bench, Winstead, and other nearby Boise neighborhoods. Just as our name suggests, a Common Ground for our community to enjoy.
Want to be a part of shaping the finishing touches? You can! With your support we can complete the build out of our two patio spaces so we all can enjoy gathering together in the shade in the coming months!
Our Story
Common Ground Coffee and Market is on the cusp of becoming a neighborhood cornerstone; a catalyst for an energetic block of commerce and social connection where those nearby can easily visit as a daily ritual or occasional outing. We can feel the energy and momentum building and WE ARE ECSTATIC!
But first, let's rewind...
It's 2019, unbeknownst to each other, Sarah and Laurie moved to the neighborhood. Both were smitten with the community, the people, and the area.... with just one exception. Earlier that year, the beloved Sockeye Brewery on Cole Road closed, leaving very few local options for places to gather. In separate homes, we both wondered, “But where can I take my family to eat, drink, and be merry with others? Where can we walk on a Saturday? If only there was somewhere to go besides backyards and living rooms...” Little did we know, we were independently dreaming, “...what if…”
Fast forward....
It's Thanksgiving-ish 2022 and Laurie and Sarah have just met in a driveway following a neighborhood turkey trot, Warm drinks in hand they began to connect over serendipitous personal coincidences and a shockingly similar fantasy to transform the exact same decrepit, vacant space into a beautiful coffee shop for all. With a paralleled vision for a vibrant community space, we began laying the groundwork for what would become Common Ground Coffee & Market. As we began to share and collaborate with others, we received a rush of positive feedback and support from friends, neighbors and community leaders alike.
The immediate and profound encouragement has been the most motivating fuel imaginable! Just check out these statements of support that from the two neighborhood associations that envelope the coffee shop geographically:
"We believe their vision for the neighborhood, the space, and their retail venture is well thought out and will be an asset to the Winstead Park Neighborhood. We look forward to the Market and are excited for what such a gathering place will do for our neighbors." - Amanda J. Hundt President, on behalf of the WPNA Board
"A local gathering place does not exist in the West Bench community. The addition of a coffee shop where neighbors could meet for a snack, meal, or conversation would add a much needed amenity. This type of business would help make the West Bench more pedestrian and bike-friendly, reduce vehicular traffic and create a sense of community. The Public Agency Committee of the West Bench Neighborhood Association supports and encourages the quality development proposed by Sarah and Laurie. Their vision of community and their goals for Common Ground aligns with the goals of our committee." - Rochelle Schaetten, Chair WBNA and Joan Wallace, Member, WBNA
Skip to real time...
We've arrived to April 2024 and WOW has a lot occurred in the 16 months since Sarah & Laurie met for coffee to talk shop. There have been countless milestones to celebrate up to this point. Here are the biggies:
- Signed a lease for the vacant spaces that were calling to both of us (and many of you, it turns out!!!).
- Received an SBA Loan!
- Began construction.
6419 W Ustick Road
We've been very fortunate to lean on an excellent architect, engineers, contractors and tradesmen during this process. We were bracing for challenges, but it turns out the City of Boise, ACHD, Central District Health, Idaho Power, Capital Water Corp... you name it...have all been great. The Treasure Valley is just full of rad people, isn't it?
So, what's shaking at at our future home? We thought you'd never ask! A new roof, storefront, windows, and sidewalks on the outside. New walls, plumbing, electricity, and flooring on the inside.
Taking on the build out of a property that has been sitting derelict for nearly seven years comes at a hefty cost. With the funds we've brought to the table, our SBA loan, many friends & family perks (you know you are!) and several DIY projects (shout out to our painting volunteers!), we will be able to open our doors without the need for crowdfunding. We realize this is a privilege in itself.
This is where you come in...
We won't, however, be able to put as many of the finishing touches on as we had hoped. All projects have twists and turns. Ours has truly come together beautifully despite the "to be expected" budget creep and one liiiiiiittle curveball.
The bad news: The budget we had allocated for the back patio build and our patio furniture disappeared *POOF* overnight!
The good news: It reappeared in the form of a 4-ton rooftop HVAC unit!
While we love the magic of climate control and we needed this equipment in order to be able to open, it comes at the expense of what we had planned for the patio. It also hamstrings our ability to invest in other furniture and resources for the shop that would be useful for hosting events and making the space as comfortable as possible. BUT! We aren't ready to give up on the vision we've had to provide two twinkling string light lit patios during our first summer/fall. We envision plants, tables and chairs all along the generous sidewalk in the front. And we can't stop imagining the creation of a shady, family-friendly, mural adorned patio space right out of our back door! We would love for these areas and amenities to become reality this year, without delay!
Along the way, we've had many people ask how they can contribute to help bolster our efforts. These notes and conversations have left us basking in gratitude and planted seeds for making sure we involve our community along the way.
Community Input
So, hello, community! We ask that you --supporter, friend, encourager, neighbor, curious stranger, enthusiastic human-- imagine the benefits of a community gathering space both inside and outside. And if you find yourself longing to pull up a chair and wrap your hands around a mug at the shop one day we welcome you to...
- Take a moment to peek at the creative, enticing, and FUN rewards we've conjured up!
- Don't have the financial means but still want to be help? Well first up, we certainly understand! We still have people-powered projects on the horizon. To throw your name in the ring, visit this form.
- As you're spring cleaning, we'd be interested in donations: furniture, classic style pint glasses, silverware, and plant cuttings to name a few.
- History! Did you or your family grow up in Winstead Park or the West Bench neighborhoods? Do you have old photos of the area? Entertaining anecdotes? Mind-blowing facts? We are collecting info to incorporate into the shop and would treasure what you can share!
Your support (of any type!) will play a major role in transforming a long-neglected storefront into a much needed, vibrant oasis for so many to enjoy.
About Laurie (left) & Sarah (right)
Meet co-captain of this coffee ship, Sarah Keck!
Yo ho ho and a good mornin to ye! I'm Sarah and I was born in what some call the armpit of California... good ol' Bakersfield. However, my family moved to my very favorite gem of a state when I was 5 and I grew up in the country of Caldwell and Middleton with my three brothers and absolute baller of a mother.
I first fell in love with the food and drink industry as a child helping in the family restaurant, The Armadillo- a Texas BBQ establishment in Nampa, Idaho. I bussed tables, washed dishes, learned how to give change, how supporting small business put a roof over my head and food on my plate at home, and best of all, how to provide an outstanding experience for every customer that came through our door. Thanks ma! Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of working in a plethora of diverse environments, but all with a hefty dose of humanity. I spent time apprenticing in the birth community, studied elementary ed in community college, and postured as an office administrator for our family’s commercial wallpaper business. In between all of this, I was employed by several coffee shops around the valley where I learned the tricks of the trade, trained baristas, won competitions, and learned so much about the magic that is the coffee world, always dreaming about opening my own shop someday.
Meeting Laurie and creating Common Ground was revolutionary. Nowadays, you can find me in the garden, with my nose in a book, biking, hiking and baseballing with my two kids and dog... or at the coffee shop, high-fiving everyone who walks in the door.
Ahoy there! I'm Laurie.
Like Sarah, I was born in Bakersfield, CA and my family moved to Caldwell when I was in grade school. (Yep, you read that right... we have eerily similar pasts). Around that time, I experienced walking to a coffee shop from my aunts' home in Sacramento. I didn't drink coffee as a whipper-snapper, but I vividly remember the cinnamon sugar muffin & the warmth of that welcoming, walkable neighborhood coffee shop.
My first job was as a barista at 15. During college I picked up a barista job, but more importantly I became enamored with all the unique Seattle neighborhoods and their cornerstone coffee shops. From owning my own photography business to coordinating student clinicals to supervising a team to baking, the array of roles, mentors, responsibilities & moments have culminated in perfect prep for this dream-chasing chapter. In my late 30's I returned to pulling shots and officially began this journey. Being a mama to two young daughters makes this chapter of life very full and complex, but I can't imagine a stronger motivation!
Cooking, coed sports, yard work, trying to squeeze in workouts, Will Ferrell one-liners, reading, true crime podcasts & anything taking place in summertime twilight, these are just a few of my favorite things -- especially if I'm doing them with my husband, Nick.
Meeting Sarah in November 2022 felt like magic. She became an instant classic in my life. I can't imagine a stronger partnership or vision for Common Ground than what we've been building together and with the community thus far.
Rewards!
Our rewards are listed along the right side of this page. But for your scrolling ease, here is a quick overview. Please see the individual rewards section for full details!
Drink + High Five - $25
A boost for us now, and a treat for you when we open our doors!
Drink + High Five (x2) - $50
Same as above, just double it!
Drink + High Five + Common Ground Soda Glass - $75
Our first edition, classic 16 oz soda glass. Smooth lines and soft curves. It's a beaut and it's perfect for all your summertime beverages!
Plus, a boost for us now, and a treat for you when we open our doors!
Jukebox Hero - $150
Whenever you come into the shop, you’ll be able to come up to the counter and slip us a note telling us you're ready to DJ this joint. Pick an album, artist or playlist on Spotify and it’ll be spinning while you’re in the shop sipping your favorite beverage.
MUG CLUB! - $350
This is your chance, your time to shine, your moment to have a personalized (with your name on it) 12 oz mug locally handcrafted (by the incredible gal behind Lala's Fresh Pots) and proudly displayed in the shop, available for you to use each time you come in. But wait, there’s more! Every time you use your mug, you’ll get 20% off your drink!
Create a Drink - $350
We've heard from so many that they have a secret wish to start a coffee shop of their own, and we understand this desire so well. The creativity, the human connection, the delicious coffee beverages at your fingertips at all times... we want to let our fellow creatives in on the process! Create and name a drink for our menu to be featured for our first year (or beyond, if we all love it)!
Name our WIFI Network & Password - $750
That’s right, you get the honor of naming our WI-FI network & password. We’ll have to say this many times a day and people will be typing it in many times a day, so yeah, there are rules. But ohhhhh the possibilities!
Be Immortalized in a Building Block - $1,000
Remember all that patio talk on the main page? If you missed it, pop back over and read the "Community Impact" section. The patio is currently a gravely home to mud puddles, but all we see is the opportunity to create an oasis. Starting from the ground up. With this reward you’ll be reserving your very own custom engraved 12"x12" patio paver that will literally be foundational for this neighborhood gathering space.
Delivery of Rewards
After the campaign closes, a survey will be sent to you to confirm your delivery address and to obtain any custom information. We expect all rewards to be delivered within 6 months of the close of the campaign, but we'll do our best to deliver to you as soon as possible. We’re just as excited to get them to you! Please see each reward for specific details.
Our Guarantee
Perks
A boost for us now, and a treat for you when we open our doors!
With this reward, your name will be added to a master list in the shop and you'll be able to redeem it one time for ANY drink of your choice. Choose from our coffee menu, tap list, or grab a bottled drink out of the cooler--you're the boss of your drink destiny! (bottles of the wine excluded)
Redeeming the crisp high five isn't required but strongly encouraged.
You will be sent a reminder email after the campaign closes to confirm the name the drink we be redeemable under. Otherwise, we'll see you in the shop for your first drink!
A boost for us now, and treats for you when we open our doors!
With this reward, your name(s) will be added to a master list in the shop and you'll be able to redeem it one time for ANY 2 drinks of your choice. Choose from our coffee menu, tap list, or grab a bottled drink out of the cooler--you're the boss of your drink destiny! (bottles of the wine excluded)
Redeeming the crisp high fives isn't required but strongly encouraged.
You will be sent a reminder email after the campaign closes to confirm the name the drinks will be redeemable under. Otherwise, we'll see you in the shop for your first drink! (x2!)
Our first edition, classic 16 oz soda glass. Smooth lines and soft curves. It's a beaut and it's perfect for all your summertime beverages!
Plus, with this reward, your name will be added to a master list in the shop and you'll be able to redeem it one time for ANY drink of your choice. Choose from our coffee menu, tap list, or grab a bottled drink out of the cooler--you're the boss of your drink destiny! (bottles of the wine excluded)
Redeeming the crisp high five isn't required but strongly encouraged.
You will be sent an email after the campaign closes to confirm the name the drink we be redeemable under. We will also confirm your preference: (1) having the glass delivered/mailed to you or (2) picking it up in the shop when you come to redeem your first drink!
Whenever you come into the shop, you’ll be able to come up to the counter and slip us a note telling us you're ready to DJ this joint. Pick an album, artist or playlist on Spotify and it’ll be spinning while you’re in the shop sipping your favorite beverage. Effective dates: June 1, 2024-June 1, 2025. Possibly indefinitely if we like your style. ;)
BUT WHAT HAPPENS IF TWO DJ'S SHOW UP AT THE EXACT SAME TIME? Rock, paper, scissors. Fair is fair.
Side note: don’t get too excited about wreaking havoc or blasting N.W.A; we’ll have Spotify’s explicit content blocker on. This is a family establishment, gosh darnit.
This is your chance, your time to shine, your moment to have a personalized (with your name on it) 12 oz mug locally handcrafted (by the incredible gal behind Lala's Fresh Pots) and proudly displayed in the shop, available for you to use each time you come in. But wait, there’s more! Every time you use your mug, you’ll get 20% off your drink!
Note: Sorry, but you can’t personalize it to say “West Bench Football Club” and share it amongst your teammates. Your mug is special to you and you must be the one to request to use it and receive the discount. This means your buddy, your spouse, your child, etc., can’t request to use it without you being present.
Following the campaign, we'll reach out with a survey to collect what you would like to have stamped into your mug. Then we'll get our order off Lala and so she can create & fire your mug!
We've heard from so many that they have a secret wish to start a coffee shop of their own, and we understand this desire so well. The creativity, the human connection, the delicious coffee beverages at your fingertips at all times... we want to let our fellow creatives in on the process! Create and name a drink for our menu to be featured for our first year (or beyond, if we all love it)!
That’s right, you get the honor of naming our wifi network & password. We’ll have to say this many times a day and people will be typing it in many times a day, so yeah, there are rules. But ohhhhh the possibilities! You have to be kind, PG, and sensical. We’ll be using our mom radars for this one too. If we use our veto power, we’ll keep workshopping it with you until you pass with flying colors.
Note: We reserve the right to change it when 2024 is up, but we hope we won’t want to and that it lives on in perpetuity! If for some reason we HAVE to change it before the year is up, we'll get in touch to give you renaming rights again!
Remember all that patio talk on the main page? If you missed it, pop back over and read the "Community Impact" section. The patio is currently a gravely home to mud puddles, but all we see is the opportunity to create an oasis. Starting from the ground up. With this reward you’ll be reserving your very own custom engraved 12"x12" patio paver that will literally be foundational for this neighborhood gathering space. Can you imagine it? The siren song of a treat and moment of respite will lure you in, and when you settle into a shady spot on the patio, you’ll be able to admire your very own piece of your neighborhood shop. Did we mention your friends will see it, too? You'll be a hero!!
When the campaign closes we will reach out with a survey to finalize what you would like to have engraved.
Highlights
See all activity122Activity
A boost for us now, and a treat for you when we open our doors!
With this reward, your name will be added to a master list in the shop and you'll be able to redeem it one time for ANY drink of your choice. Choose from our coffee menu, tap list, or grab a bottled drink out of the cooler--you're the boss of your drink destiny! (bottles of the wine excluded)
Redeeming the crisp high five isn't required but strongly encouraged.
You will be sent a reminder email after the campaign closes to confirm the name the drink we be redeemable under. Otherwise, we'll see you in the shop for your first drink!
A boost for us now, and treats for you when we open our doors!
With this reward, your name(s) will be added to a master list in the shop and you'll be able to redeem it one time for ANY 2 drinks of your choice. Choose from our coffee menu, tap list, or grab a bottled drink out of the cooler--you're the boss of your drink destiny! (bottles of the wine excluded)
Redeeming the crisp high fives isn't required but strongly encouraged.
You will be sent a reminder email after the campaign closes to confirm the name the drinks will be redeemable under. Otherwise, we'll see you in the shop for your first drink! (x2!)
Our first edition, classic 16 oz soda glass. Smooth lines and soft curves. It's a beaut and it's perfect for all your summertime beverages!
Plus, with this reward, your name will be added to a master list in the shop and you'll be able to redeem it one time for ANY drink of your choice. Choose from our coffee menu, tap list, or grab a bottled drink out of the cooler--you're the boss of your drink destiny! (bottles of the wine excluded)
Redeeming the crisp high five isn't required but strongly encouraged.
You will be sent an email after the campaign closes to confirm the name the drink we be redeemable under. We will also confirm your preference: (1) having the glass delivered/mailed to you or (2) picking it up in the shop when you come to redeem your first drink!
Whenever you come into the shop, you’ll be able to come up to the counter and slip us a note telling us you're ready to DJ this joint. Pick an album, artist or playlist on Spotify and it’ll be spinning while you’re in the shop sipping your favorite beverage. Effective dates: June 1, 2024-June 1, 2025. Possibly indefinitely if we like your style. ;)
BUT WHAT HAPPENS IF TWO DJ'S SHOW UP AT THE EXACT SAME TIME? Rock, paper, scissors. Fair is fair.
Side note: don’t get too excited about wreaking havoc or blasting N.W.A; we’ll have Spotify’s explicit content blocker on. This is a family establishment, gosh darnit.
This is your chance, your time to shine, your moment to have a personalized (with your name on it) 12 oz mug locally handcrafted (by the incredible gal behind Lala's Fresh Pots) and proudly displayed in the shop, available for you to use each time you come in. But wait, there’s more! Every time you use your mug, you’ll get 20% off your drink!
Note: Sorry, but you can’t personalize it to say “West Bench Football Club” and share it amongst your teammates. Your mug is special to you and you must be the one to request to use it and receive the discount. This means your buddy, your spouse, your child, etc., can’t request to use it without you being present.
Following the campaign, we'll reach out with a survey to collect what you would like to have stamped into your mug. Then we'll get our order off Lala and so she can create & fire your mug!
We've heard from so many that they have a secret wish to start a coffee shop of their own, and we understand this desire so well. The creativity, the human connection, the delicious coffee beverages at your fingertips at all times... we want to let our fellow creatives in on the process! Create and name a drink for our menu to be featured for our first year (or beyond, if we all love it)!
That’s right, you get the honor of naming our wifi network & password. We’ll have to say this many times a day and people will be typing it in many times a day, so yeah, there are rules. But ohhhhh the possibilities! You have to be kind, PG, and sensical. We’ll be using our mom radars for this one too. If we use our veto power, we’ll keep workshopping it with you until you pass with flying colors.
Note: We reserve the right to change it when 2024 is up, but we hope we won’t want to and that it lives on in perpetuity! If for some reason we HAVE to change it before the year is up, we'll get in touch to give you renaming rights again!
Remember all that patio talk on the main page? If you missed it, pop back over and read the "Community Impact" section. The patio is currently a gravely home to mud puddles, but all we see is the opportunity to create an oasis. Starting from the ground up. With this reward you’ll be reserving your very own custom engraved 12"x12" patio paver that will literally be foundational for this neighborhood gathering space. Can you imagine it? The siren song of a treat and moment of respite will lure you in, and when you settle into a shady spot on the patio, you’ll be able to admire your very own piece of your neighborhood shop. Did we mention your friends will see it, too? You'll be a hero!!
When the campaign closes we will reach out with a survey to finalize what you would like to have engraved.
