OLYMPIA, Wash. — There's a coffee shop in Olympia where they draw devilish espresso art and make drinks with names like the Chupacabra, Grave Moss... and one very popular one that we cannot say on TV or in print that's a common expletive-laden expression of frustration.
But the thing that truly sets Burial Grounds apart isn't the diabolical vibe or their liberal use of cuss words. It's the community this coffee place has created.
"One of the main components of the Burial Grounds ethos is that we try to treat everyone equally, with equal respect as a human being, no matter where you’re coming from,” said Heather Chambers, co-owner.
This is a safe space that inspires caffeinated collaboration:
Gathering here with other trans women inspired Amy Hart to publish an anthology for transgender kids.
"Being able to find a safe space in this world where you're gonna be treated with respect and love is so rare, and this community at Burial Grounds is amazing," said Amy who launched Heart Spark Press based on the inspiration this coffee house provided.
Alex is a regular - the Burial Grounds community fixed his wheelchair when it broke down: "What other place does that? Other than a place that's an actual community, where I'm not just a customer, I'm a friend," he said.
Krickett, another regular, is un-homed. "I would say this is home for me," he smiled.
Colin Bartlett - one of the folks pumping out the wildly creative espresso art from behind the counter, was also homeless when he started coming here.
"So I needed a place that I could just be a person - and at Burial Grounds, I found it and it was that place. Burial Grounds was that place for me where I could just be a human. No matter what economic background I came from or where I went home to after that."
Today, Colin is one of 9 owners of Burial Grounds - which became a cooperative recently and changed locations.
But just after this place re-opened in early March, and a couple of days after Evening shot this story, they had to close their doors due to the COVID-19 crisis.
"Yeah, having to close our storefront about two weeks after finally opening was pretty heartbreaking terrible timing, but we wanted to make sure we were doing what we could to keep our community and ourselves safe, so we did the right thing," said Heather Chambers, via a video follow up.
Like many other businesses, the goth coffee shop is pivoting:
"Inspired by local community-supported agriculture programs, we've partnered with Rogue Teas to support our own Community Supported Caffeine or CSC box," explained Chambers.
Each CSC Box from Burial Grounds contains coffee - tea - and an assortment of 'zines. And the devilish art is still there - in the form of doodles on the boxes being packed then delivered to customers who place online orders.
And the Burial Grounds gang hopes they can return to the community they've built sometime soon - by caffeinating Olympia right now.
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