Army Pfc. Ramona Schrupp ordered her usual beverage at Lakewood’s new coffee shop: a soy vanilla latte with two shots of espresso.
The soldier with the 51st Signal Brigade at Fort Lewis has visited Coffee Strong about eight or nine times since it opened Nov. 5.
The coffeehouse was started by veterans opposed to the war in Iraq. But Schrupp said organizers support the troops without pushing a political agenda.
The 20-year-old says she likes the atmosphere and loves the java.
“I’d rather come here than a Starbucks,” Schrupp said after placing her order Thursday.
Coffee Strong, whose name plays on the Army’s slogan “Army Strong,” has been open a little more than a month. The owners and staff say they’re pleased with their small but loyal following, given their obscure location and lack of advertising.
The shop is located in Tillicum at 15109 Union Ave S.W. and overlooking Interstate 5. The owners pay $1,500 a month to share a building with a Subway sandwich shop. Passers-by still see the name of the previous coffee shop, Java Flow, that operated in the space.
But being close to the gates of Fort Lewis has its benefits, said barista Michael William. He’s one of the shop’s six trained “counselors” who work to connect soldiers with resources to help them understand their rights.
The 26-year-old former private first class in the Army National Guard said most customers learn of Coffee Strong by word of mouth. The shop already has its regulars.
“I would say for not even having the right sign up, I think we’re doing pretty good,” he said.
Seth Manzel, the shop’s co-founder and a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, expected to get some backlash from people who support the war. He says he hasn’t personally received criticism so far, although that might have to do with people not knowing he’s open.
Fort Lewis spokesman Joe Kubistek said the post is aware of Coffee Strong’s presence and political views. It’s a legal business so there’s no need to restrict soldiers from going there, he said.
“We don’t have a position on the political views of an outside individual,” he said.
The premise of Coffee Strong harkens back to the Vietnam War era, which saw similar coffee shops open near military installations.
Manzel’s group wanted a one-stop shop where members of the military could talk openly about the war, learn about their rights and find resources for those who struggle when they return from the combat zone, such as with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Coffee Strong is at least the fourth such coffeehouse to open since the Iraq war began. Others are located near Fort Drum in New York, Fort Hood in Texas and Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia.
Manzel said he knew it wouldn’t be easy. The location the group originally eyed – a former dry-cleaning business north of the current location – didn’t pan out.
But with the help of fundraisers and donated equipment from companies such as Tully’s Coffee, the shop finally opened.
It has the feel of a neighborhood coffee haunt sprinkled with memorabilia from an anti-war rally. While pouring cream or cinnamon into their beverages, customers can pick up literature at a nearby table about the GI rights hot line or how to be a conscientious objector.
Above the row of computer stations are pictures and drawings questioning the war.
Manzel, who spent a year in Iraq as a sergeant assigned to Fort Lewis’ 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division in 2004, said the group didn’t want to push its political views on customers.
The intent is to support troops in a different way than waving flags on freeway overpasses or putting yellow-ribbon decals on cars.
“We’re anti-war, but we’re not ‘in your face’ about it,” Manzel said.
So far, he said, soldiers have come in mostly seeking help dealing with paperwork issues, such as getting time off from their units to deal with family emergencies. There hasn’t been a big demand for counseling yet, but much of the printed literature is disappearing.
The coffeehouse also has hosted concerts and other events.
Organizers hope to start advertising – including a new sign – over the next two months.
Jeff Von Schmauder, a senior airman in the Air Force Reserve who ordered a large tea Thursday, said he supports Coffee Strong because it’s a small business.
“It’s great to have a local coffee shop where people can gather and meet,” said Von Schmauder, who lives in Hawaii but was visiting friends in the South Sound.
Jesse Sledge, a private with the 51st Signal Brigade, said he appreciates the support he gets at the shop. He also doesn’t feel a political agenda being pushed on him.
“They’ve got the utmost respect for our position,” he said.
Brent Champaco: 253-597-8653
