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More than just delicious coffee, Café Conmigo provides a place to experience all five senses through plants, art, foods from partner companies, music, and conversation where you can slow down the busy life style and enjoy. Meet Derek Davies, founder, and learn about this special place in the heart of Wexford, PA.
Dave Jackley
Hi, Dave Jackley here and welcome to another edition of Exactly At Home North of Pittsburgh. And today I’m here with Derek Davies from Cafe Conmigo. This is a place where you don’t just experience the coffee, but all five senses. So you will learn about that in a second, so stay tuned.
So Derek, tell me a little about Café Conmigo place where you have a philosophy of experiencing all five senses when you come here.;
Derek Davies
Yes, definitely. It’s kind of spiritual, even if you’re not spiritual, or if you are spiritual. I kind of think of it as when you have a coffee in any other country other than the US, where they like to slow down and enjoy their drink, enjoy the sounds and the sights around them. And in the US, it’s very fast paced, you get your coffee, get in and get out. So I wanted to promote, in that sense, or use that slogan to promote to slow down for people. And use your sight to see what’s around you by having beautiful things like nice artwork, nice furniture, plants, the smell and aroma of the coffee. Hearing different people talk around you and providing great music. Also, like the touch of the ceramic mugs, where using all the senses may get someone to slow down and appreciate the little things more rather than just getting their caffeine and getting in and out.
Dave Jackley
I’m a big fan of the ceramic mug instead of the paper one on the go. Yes, and as you might hear in the background, you’re hearing great music. We’re surrounded by plants. They’re kind of plant experts here. We’ve got artwork on the wall, displays about where all the countries that coffee comes from. It’s really truly an art exhibit. So tell me about the name, Cafe Conmigo, where did that come from?
Derek Davies
Yeah, so that name kind of started from when I went to school in Austin, Texas. There’s a huge Latin community in my school from all over different Spanish speaking countries. And one I like most importantly, is Mexico. And I love the warm and welcoming culture of, of the people from Mexico. And I kind of wanted to incorporate that into a café. That sense of something that was warm, welcoming, inviting, was how I felt about their culture. I also was inspired by an Argentinian coffee shop that I visited. They had lots of plants. I really enjoy that. I also have a friend that we’re still working on some some stuff where we’re going to get their coffe beans. They live in Guatemala. And so we talked about bringing some of the beans here and working with Commonplace Coffee to roast those here. So it was just a combination of many different things. And something to offer that kind of culture for people Wexford to experience something different.
Dave Jackley
Wow, that’s really phenomenal. You know, not only the environment here, but you’re reaching around the world, I guess to all the places that coffee can come from? Yes, that’s really terrific. I know also that it’s a big value to you to be partnered with other businesses. Tell me about your partnerships, where many of their products are on sale here.
Derek Davies
Yes. So we originally started off just kind of selling coffee and tea and some plants and a couple of candles. And then just people had started to come in and come in here and say, oh, you know, my friend has a granola business or has a candle business. And they’d be interested in selling their products here. And I kind of just kept saying yes, and yes, and it ended up being 95+ local products right now. We have more on the way as well. Not everything here is 100% local, but the majority of it is if not a lot of the things are mainly all small business owned throughout the United States. But I’d say primarily, it’s all from Pittsburgh, a couple from Philadelphia and around the state of Pennsylvania, some in Ohio, West Virginia. And it’s been great. And I’d say 80% of them are women-owned businesses. So we’ve just had such a variety of businesses come in, and it’s cool to work together and be inspired by all those people.
Dave Jackley
That’s fantastic. There are a number of things I like about what you’re saying. These interviews are all about being local, being part of the community. And not only from the experience here and I can tell there’s a community feel here in the store because this place is packed a lot of the times with people talking and working and all that sort of thing. But also I like the idea of community with the other businesses. And so Derek you do lots of special things here you change the environment around a lot. And one of the things you were telling me about his special events, what are those like?
Derek Davies
Yes, it is. So we have multiple events throughout the year we have. We have private events, we can do let people have a baby shower here or a bridal shower. The public events are more like vendor markets. So sometimes – I think we have one coming up in the fall -we invite all of our vendors who are who sell products here to come and meet their customers and see where their products are coming from. And people set up tables, we have boutiques, food trucks, just different things like live music. Also, throughout the year, we have things like comedy shows, and workshops. We had a flower workshop here before succulent workshop, a vision board workshop. So it just kind of depends on who wants to host an event here or collaborate with us in some way.
Dave Jackley
Oh, that’s terrific. So how can people find out these, on your website?
Derek Davies
Yes, everything’s on our website. Also in social media, as you’ll see a lot and we also post an events calendar here.
Dave Jackley
Terrific. Well look for the special events. You can come and experience the five senses, do something special that you’re interested in and learn about it right here in the center of Wexford. That’s great and I appreciate it. Thank you. II think Wexford can revolve around a place like this. Absolutely. Well, tell me a little bit about your journey, so you went to Austin and came back to Pittsburgh, where you are originally from. And what else do you do outside of work?
Derek Davies
I am at work a lot but but I enjoy it, being an entrepreneur. But I don’t necessarily have to be here all the time. I enjoy talking to people in this environment. I made it something almost as a place for myself as well to relax and read a book. I enjoy that but I definitely like to be outside when I’m not here: hiking or just to go to the park or to enjoy that. And when I’m not at work, I like to travel a lot. So if I can find that time, that is terrific.
Dave Jackley
Well, look, I really appreciate you taking the time and you folks should come in and try a cup of delicious coffee and there’s there’s a lot of choices, but also just experience a very comforting and welcoming environment. From the music to the plants to the décor, a great place to be right here in the center of Wexford.
So tune in again for another edition of Exactly At Home North of Pittsburgh and meet other people that you’d like to know and do business with. Thanks.
SUMMARY KEYWORDS
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