She also didn’t know if the company had protocol for drip coffee destined for the drain. McConnell said she believed the company had a pastry waste protocol, but she was “not sure” if any such protocol was listed in the employee handbook or elsewhere. In response to the firings, Coffee Riot Seattle staged a demonstration outside the location in question, where protestors gave out fliers to passers by as well as leaving them on parked cars and put up larger posters around the neighborhood.Ĭaffé Vita co-owner Liz McConnell spoke with The Stranger about the incident. If our business is filled with homeless people many of our customers will likely choose alternatives, negatively impacting our livelihoods.Ĭiting four former Capitol Hill Vita employees, the Stranger’s article goes on to state that one of the baristas was let go for “giving out two free refill coffees.” Since then, “a total of 10 full-time employees have been fired or have quit for reasons related to that policy.” The four employees The Stranger spoke with also “deny giving away gift cards or hearing of anyone giving away gift cards.” In order for us to do good things in the neighborhood, we must first have a successful business-giving away products is theft and the grounds for immediate employment termination. We’ve recently learned that some employees have been giving away Vita gift cards, food, and coffee to homeless people in the neighborhoods we occupy.Īlthough these were well placed intentions, please understand, it is our belief that feeding homeless people without comprehensive services actually enables, increases and promotes homelessness. Per The Stranger, the next day an email was sent out to employees by now-former General Manger Isaiah Washington regarding the company’s policy: Per a post on Instagram, the protest comes in response to the firing of Vita baristas for giving away pastries and coffee to unhoused individuals in the area.Īccording to the post, on September 5th, Vita co-owner Mike McConnell and the company’s general managers “fired a quarter of the baristas” at Vita’s iconic Capitol Hill location, “all of which come from marginalized backgrounds.” These individuals were fired, the post states, “because of the sudden harsh enforcement of a company policy that was not enforced or used historically.” If you haven't had the chance to see Emmanuel in action, come say hi and tryout his favorite drink, the Prickly Pear Tonic.On Wednesday, October 2nd, a walkout and protest was staged outside the Capitol Hill location of Seattle’s Caffé Vita arranged by a group known as Coffee Riot Seattle. Some of his favorite albums include East Atlanta Love Letter, El Ultimo Tour del Mundo, and Starboy. Emmanuel also enjoys exploring the budding local food and coffee scene in Arizona, so if you ever need recommendations be sure to hit his line. If you see the amazing photos we share of our PHX cafe, then you've already had the pleasure of seeing his handiwork. His favorite part of working at Vita is engaging with the community and visiting with the amazing regulars he has the pleasure of seeing daily (especially Walter the dog)!Įmmanuel is a stellar photographer, graduating from ASU with a degree in photography - and has been snapping outstanding flicks since 2015. Put your hands together for our newest Barista of the Month, Emmanuel Lupercio! Emmanuel's been in coffee for about 2 years, and came to Vita from our friends at Press Coffee when we opened in downtown Phoenix last summer.
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