Mobilizing for the Community
Resistencia Coffee is a small café located in the South Park neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. The mission began as a space where people could come together as a community. Today, Resistencia Coffee remains a place of community and comfort. When COVID-19 struck, Coté Soerens, a joint owner of Resistencia Coffee, wanted to provide an environment for people to ease during a time of panic and confusion. Resistencia Coffee made a decision early on to stay open for the public. At the start, they closed for two weeks to recoup. When they reopened, Resistencia Coffee was able to remain present and mobilize as a foodbank until they could resume function as a café again. “[The pandemic] gave us an opportunity to show our promise to be available to our neighborhood,” Soerens said.
Soerens believes that with everything going on in the last two years, the coffee shop has grown as a team. “Our mission is to have a place in the main area of South Park with emotional resonance,” Soerens said. “When you walk into our coffee shop, you feel welcome and invited.”
Providing Security & Comfort
Resistencia Coffee has been a big part of the South Park community since 2017, and more so through the pandemic. The goal of Resistencia Coffee is to provide a place of comfort and a sense of security to their community. Soerens loves the opportunity to meet new people with different backgrounds and stories and shares that she has always felt grateful for her supportive community. Her strong desire to give back is what has made Resistencia Coffee a success. As Majora Carter, American urban revitalization strategist and friend of Soerens says: “You don't have to move out of your neighborhood to make it a better one.”
From Idea to Impact
Business Impact NW has a long history with Soerens. After working with a business coach at the WA Women's Business Center at Business Impact NW, Resistencia Coffee won Best Startup Business at Impact Pitch 2017. This was due to a strong business model and a stellar community impact goal. She was then one of the judges for the event two years ago. She also served on the Board of Directors for a full year, to help bring the voice of small business owners to the team. Business Impact NW would like to thank Soerens and Resistencia Coffee for their strong community commitment.
