The newest coffee spot in Saint Augustine

By Colton Andre | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Grower’s Alliance is the newest spot for a fresh pot of coffee in Saint Augustine. Focusing on fair trade products, Martin Kabaki and Purity Gikunju are Kenyans who “are trying to tell our Kenyan story through our coffee shop and our products.” Coming from two small villages in Kenya, both are driven to help their home community’s in a variety of ways.

“I came to Florida to attend UNF ten years ago and started Grower’s Alliance as a pop-up cafe at the local farmer’s markets,” Kabaki said. “Now that we have opened our first cafe, we are already planning to expand to multiple locations in the next five years.”

You can find fair-trade Kenyan jewelry and accessories, as well as a variety of Kenyan-grown nuts while enjoying the rich, smooth flavor of Kenyan coffee. The shop plans to have six local beers on tap and features wines from Kenya and South Africa to accompany their new outdoor seating area. The shop supports local businesses by selling products from shops such as Creme de la Coco and Hugo’s Muffins as well.

However, their Kenyan story isn’t just one of the rich smell of coffee, they also focus on two major problems in their homeland, access to healthcare and clean water. This is why from every purchase you make at Grower’s Alliance, 10 percent of their profit is directly put into running a hospital they established and digging water wells in villages across the country.

Next time you need a quiet place to study, stop by 322 Anastasia Blvd., or if you’re in a rush, swing through the drive-thru for your quick caffeine fix. You can also find Kabaki and Gikunju at the Saturday farmer’s market at the St. Augustine Amphitheater, or at the Wednesday market at the Pier. Their coffee is also being sold in local Publix stores.