Inspiring Conversations with Emmett Collins of L-City Coffee +/L-City Pop-Up Coffee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Emmett Collins.

Hi Emmett, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
While Lancaster’s downtown area is beautiful and has its charms, its limited on what is has to offer. Within our downtown area, there are 9 bars within a 2 block radius. What do you do if you do not drink? Or dont want to be around that type of environment for any number of valid reasons? Your options for things to do are almost non-existent.

This didnt sit well with us. We wanted to change that. We wanted people to have a place they felt like they could gather without the social pressures. Without the need of emptying their pocket book. A place where people can just exist and hang out. Our goal was always to be a place people could gather and enjoy without breaking the bank. And thats why we are one of the least expensive specialty shops you will find within hours of us. Owning a business should be a marathon. Not a sprint to wealth. We dont believe in price gouging our customers simply because we can. And unfortunately so many businesses both big and small do just that.

So we created L-City Coffee +. We started off on a coffee bike 13 days before the pandemic hit this area in 2020. What was the end of the world for some, was the beginning of an adventure for us. With all the strife that happened, a glimmer of hope was that we were outside! We werent limited to the confines of a space that didnt allow for distancing. We could have our people spread out as much as possible. So 6 days a week, you could catch us riding around the downtown area and picking a spot to set up shop for the day.

We are thankful for the partnerships with businesses who allowed us to park under awnings or in corridors during inclement weather. We were eventually presented with the opportunity to move from the bike into a brick and mortar. And our customers followed us right inside (once they were safely able to do so, of course). And it has been a fun adventure ever since!

We have grown to have the store, have a full servive catering/private events trailer that is fully self sustaining with its own power (solar) and reservoirs, have the bike, and even be on the hunt for a second location.
Our trailer is even capable of running as a drive through should we find a place to “set up shop.”

We have created a community hub where all people are welcome. No matter your skin color or religious background, your orientation or beliefs. Everyone is welcome in the doors as long as you can show respect to the person next to you. We also pride oursevles on providing employment opportunities to those who are in need of second chances due to past mistakes. We truly accept everyone who is working to improve our community.

We cannot wait to continue to grow and to continue to foster relationships. As are store has grown, we have occupied more and more space within our building. We occupy 2 floors. The second level allows for additional seating of up to 77 people. The space includes FREE retro arcades, TV’s, high speed internet, and so much more. Its even available for private events. The community sees what we are trying to do. And we appreciate being able to be such an important part of people’s lives.

Outside of the shop you can also be sure to see our name on just about any event that happens within our towntown. Because having a sense of community is more than just owning a business for transactions. It means playing an active part. So we support as many local happenings as we can, even when it doesnt benefit our bottom dollar.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh Absolutely not. The pandemic hitting 13 days after opening threw us for a loop to begin with. But being outside allowed us to adapt with it relatively quickly. So as other places closed down, we grew.

There has also been hate along the way. Being a queer owned business has caused a lot of backlash from an area that is so Red. This isnt to mean we are aiming to make sure everyone knows we are the epotime of the Rainbow Flag. It just happens to be part of what we are. And people have a problem with us simply existing. But I see that as a them problem, not a me problem. Even though we sadly have had some vandalism here at the shop as well as at my home in retaliation to this.

We are also in quite a historic building of our town. This means leaks, failing HVAC, electrical issues, etc. It comes with the territory. It adds character, right?

At the end of the day, none of these struggles have or ever will keep us down. We are successful because there is more support than hate. And there always will be.

Its also incredibly hard balancing a business while working full time. I do own the place, but I rely on my GM, who is also my partner, to run it day to day. I cannot respond to every emergency while I am out working my Job. What I do is important. Its not something I am ready to give up. So my partner saves the day by running the store. Hes secretly the one in charge. Just dont tell him that. We dont need all that power going to his head (wink wink). We operate as a team. Sharing responsibilities based off of our strengths, and honestly time availability. There are definitely some sleepless nights as I balance working the shop and my job, but its all very much so worth it.

We’ve been impressed with L-City Coffee +/L-City Pop-Up Coffee, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a coffee shop that started off on wheels, and later moved into a brick and mortar. But we didnt forget about the wheels! We upgraded them.
After all, a wheel is part of our logo. Giving homage to where it all began.

We are as authentic to coffee as our customer base will allow. This means we are a coffee shop. Not a dessert-in-a-cup-shop. (*cough cough, that 7 place, The Bux Cough Cough *)

This is not to say we cant do dessert in a cup, we certainly can. But drinks wont come that way to begin with. We are known for having incredilby high quality creations on a very low budget.

We source as much of our products locally as we can. This means our beans are delivered fresh weekly and are roasted wthin an hour of our store, our bakery who provides our pastries is in Reynoldsburg, and we have an entire wall of consignment items hand made/crafted here in Fairfield County.

We also provide so much more than just coffee. Because not everyone likes coffee, but everyone likes something to drink. So we can do coffee, italian sodas, cream sodas, twisted sodas, teas, Lotus Energy refreshers, Red Bull Infusions, and so much more. We have a menu larger than almost any competitor. And that includes the big chains. Everyone can find something they will enjoy here. Because we want everyone to feel included.

And ultimately thats what sets us apart. People know they can get high quality without the pressure. They know they will always be greeted with a smile and made to feel like they belong.
Whether you choose to come to us, or invite us to come to you, our goal is to make sure you feel satiated not just physically, but mentally too.

What makes you happy?
What makes me happy is seeing people connect over something we’ve created. A great cup of coffee (or non-coffee drink of choice) is more than just a drink. It’s a reason for people to slow down, talk, laugh, and feel at home here. To have community here. Watching customers walk in stressed and walk out smiling reminds me why we opened my shop in the first place. It’s not just about caffeine, it’s about creating little moments of joy in someone’s day.

Thats what we are doing. Creating Moments, not drinks. Having Community, not just streets and houses.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://LCitycoffee.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/LCityCoffee
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LCityCoffee
• Other: https://tiktok.com/@lcitycoffee