JANUARY 12 • 2023 | 37

Rosenthal said Showler’s top
goal is creating and nurturing
the growth of Berkley Coffee as
a community center — a wel-
coming and inclusive space to
gather and explore and thrive.
Showler also made the con-
scious choice to invest in his
employees. The full-time staff
are on salary and the part-time
staff are paid a living wage.
All tips collected go toward
supporting the musicians who
perform at Berkley Coffee.
Berkley Coffee opened in
April 2022. As part of its central
goals of inclusivity and being a
welcoming community center
for all, Showler decided to close
the shop on at least one major
holiday of each community of
faith.
Showler’s ironic humor per-
vades the space, from the sign
on the bathroom stall, “PLEASE
DO NOT WRITE ON THIS”

to the sign directly across above
a bunch of markers, “Do not
write on it with these;” and
the advisory notice with skull,
bones and a
cup of coffee,
“Coffee Snobs
Ye Be Warned.
”
All the coffee
beans and choc-
olate at Berkley
Coffee are single
origin. Signs
on each tube
of fresh beans
provide details
on the country
of origin as
well as flavor
notes and other
nuggets of information to pique
your curiosity and enhance
your global journey one sip at a
time. Are you in the mood for
a mocha? Every ingredient can
be customized by you, with the

curated genius,
upon request,
of the Berkley
Coffee staff.
And if you
enjoy some
nosh with your hot beverage
of choice, Jerusalem Bagels are
available six days a week, and
NY Bagels every Saturday. And
if bagels are not your jam, grab
some Stroop Club stroopwafels

or a Raaka chocolate.
Berkley Coffee is also avail-
able for private events and
group meetings. From The
Well’s Taste of Sukkot collab-
oration with Zingerman’s to a
weekly AA meeting, Berkley
Coffee aims to be a space where
connections are made, commu-
nity blossoms and all feel wel-
come, seen and satisfied from
the belly to the soul.

Berkley Coffee is at 14661 W. 11 Mile

Road in Oak Park.

Pedro
Meadows
performing on
Thursday night
open stage at
Berkley Coffee.

The sign on the
bathroom stall

continued from page 36

NMLS #718852

B I R M I N G H A M

We can’t help find
your winter scarf.

But we can help you
find the right mortgage.

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