Richard P.
Yelp
To say that I'm excited about finally getting to check out Amberson Coffee & Grocer is an understatement. While I was making my way to a Yelp Elite event this weekend, I began exploring the Fletcher Place Historic District more fully and was kind of awestruck by it.
I wasn't actually looking for Amberson, however, once I found it I absolutely had to stop and check it out.
Amberson is located inside a refurbished gas station (admittedly, I'm dying to know more about its history). It's a corner spot that's easy to pull into and super easy to identify. Truthfully, my primary care physician is only 4-5 blocks from here and I'm completely disappointed in myself that I've never made it here.
There are so many things I adore about Amberson - they opened during a pandemic inspired by ideals of service, sustainability, and coffee (and yes, coffee is an ideal. Gee whiz.). They want to spread kindness and they have a "No Tipping Policy" because they pay their employees a livable wage (Really!). While you can get coffee to go here, it's not your usual to go - it's served up in a mason jar for which you pay a $1 refundable deposit. They don't use plastic or paper cups - period.
They are a multi-roaster company using both local and global roasters who share similar ideals to their own. Amberson practices recycling, composting, and they offer compostable takeaway containers.
I really love this statement from their website - "We believe in intentionality, looking to take care in treating everyone lovingly and respectfully with the purpose of building up our community. We respect all beliefs, ideologies, backgrounds, identities & humanity and we strive to value every single person who is part of our growing community."
Yes, the coffees cost a bit more but it's supporting local and supporting a company committed to doing right by their employees (and in a nice little touch I like that their website refers to employees as working "with us" instead of "for us.").
They also have a small grocery in their building - I understand this was partly an acknowledgement of the difficult times during which they opened.
You can order online and pick up in the store or at their drive-thru window. They also offer e-gift cards.
Amberson offers breakfast/lunch items, a variety of coffees, non-coffee beverages (incuding Circle City Kombucha), artisanal teas from Chicago's Spirit Tea, a variety of snacks, bakery items (Leviathan Bakehouse has quite a bit here), fruits/veggies, cheeses, meats, and other items. Most of the time, it seems like their website lists if they're out of something or have low stock.
There's so much to love here. For the most part, it's surprisingly accessible with level entryways and an interior arrangement that for the most part works really well. I recommend trying the Root & Revelry, a craft soda out of Valparaiso, Indiana. I'm pretty sure the triple chocolate cookie gave me an orgasm, and I know for a fact the cold brew coffee (made from a recipe provided by Culver City, CA's Bar Nine) gave me two or three.
Seriously, I regret not venturing out a little more and trying Amberson sooner. There's simply no question I'll be back.