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Grace Cafe to close later this monthFriday, October 3, 2008
A slowing economy has forced Grace Cafe in Cape Girardeau to close its doors, effective Oct. 15. "We've cut corners everywhere we can, but it just hasn't worked out," said owner Grace Parry. "This really needs an owner who can devote 40 to 60 hours a week to this business, and since I have a family I can't do it. We don't have extra money to put into this, and my family needs me." Parry informed her employees of the news Wednesday. She has explored other uses for the brick building at 818 Broadway originally constructed in 1928 but has no plans to sell it. "I probably will use it for a meeting space," Parry said. "I have a lot of things to pray about." For longtime customer David Kelly, the news was heartbreaking. "You can chalk it up as the next victim of the current economic trouble," said Kelly, who was enjoying a cup of coffee and conversation with friend Tye Parks. "I've had coffee many places in Cape Girardeau, but there is absolutely no comparison to here. It's a very alive place that will be missed a great deal." Like Kelly, Parks will miss the countless afternoons and evenings he spent attending Christian music concerts and meeting with friends in the coffee shop. He said such local establishments are becoming a rarity in the area. "It's a shame that a local business like this can't survive," Parks said. "That's just one less local niche choice we have in a market that has its share of national chain establishments." Employee Missy Montgomery said the news of the closure is bittersweet. "It's been such a comfort to be here that I don't want to go," Montgomery said. "But at the same time I'm happy for Grace and [husband] Mike Parry because the Lord is giving them an exciting new direction. I'm excited to see what is in store for her." Before Montgomery began working at the coffee shop in May, she was grieving the loss of a sister to an automobile accident. But Montgomery's feelings of isolation turned to joy shortly after Parry offered her a job at the coffee shop. "There's a spirit of peace that goes beyond the building," Montgomery said. "After all, she's not in the food and coffee business but the people business." Co-worker Lisa Sanchez expects relationships formed with customers and other employees to continue after Grace Cafe closes its doors. "The saddest part is the customers we won't see on a regular basis," Sanchez said. "Cape Girardeau is losing a great environment that the community has come to love." bblackwell@semissourian.com 335-6611, extension 137 Have a comment? Log on to semissourian.com/today Grace Parry is closing Grace Cafe on Broadway in Cape Girardeau. Comments  The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, use the exclamation point icon beside the comment to send a report to the webmaster.
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89
This was a place were no matter who you were, what beliefs you might have, you could go in, sit back, relax, have a cup of coffee and enjoy. Grace did a tremendous job, better than most of us could have done. It is funny to me that those on here who are so quick to say negative things about her and the business, are probably the same people that would not have lasted as long as Grace did as a local business owner.
Lets put aside all the attacks, Grace, I applaud you for the type of business and atmosphere you created on broadway. Thank you for all the memories.
Harper, it was nice to see you on here. Beth, you as well.
I have known Mike and Grace for a long time, just as Ryan has. We were both around when Grace first opened that cafe, downtown at Themis and Spanish before moving to its locations on Pacific Street. I have had a lot of good friends work there over the years, and I have seen the love and hospitality offered through that business. I supported Grace Café more than any other coffee place while I lived in Cape Girardeau for seven years not just because I was friends with Mike and Grace, but because I agreed with its business practices of being concerned with fair trade and people.
Grace’s expression of her Christian faith, to the best of my knowledge, has consistently been one of openness, hospitality and love toward people that goes beyond denomination, as well as concern for the integrity of the products she sells even though it often resulted in less of a profit for her personally. As Ryan has pointed out, Grace’s business has consistently hosted and attracted customers and groups of varying ages with varying religious, political, and social ideologies. Although I could very well be wrong, I would argue that shows a commitment to the Southeast Missouri community at large, not just those of a certain religion or class.
It’s sad when any locally-owned business closes, “Christian” or not. Most of the nastiest comments I saw have been appropriately deleted before I found some time to write this response, but I wish some of you commenting on this space (behind the safe curtain of your anonymity) would remember, regardless of whether you agree with her religious beliefs, that Grace is a person, one with feelings just like you.
Another quick thought, Olive. It just occurred to me that you might have taken my comment to mean I thought YOU couldn't afford twenty cents more for coffee. Since I don't know you, I have no way of knowing that. And since I don't run in circles where it's necessary to "defend" oneself against "accusations" of poverty, I was a little thrown. My suggestion was that people--any people--who have disposable income should try to spend it in just ways. People who don't have such a luxury might have different responsibilities. I hope that helps clear things up.
Grace Cafe will be truely missed. I ate there for the first time this summer and it was the best lunch I had. I am so sad to see this happen. :(
I'm sorry, Olive. Let me clarify.
When I spoke of those of us ("us," not "you"), who can afford twenty cents more for coffee, I intended to call those of us ("us," not "you") who can do so to think through why we might decide to spend a little more at one establishment versus another if the greater good is served, especially if ("if," not "since") there is not a substantial taste preference one way or the other. Given your comments about Starbucks, I take it you like Starbucks a lot better, and you don't really think Grace's business practices were that much better (if any better) than Starbucks. I think that last point is the one on which we disagree.
Ryan Harper...The 20 cent comment was in respnse to heye's comment that Starbucks was more expensive, you classist.
I have known Grace and Mike longer than ANY of you. (Really.) And apparently by some of your correspondence, some of you don't know them at all. If I could sum up Grace in one word, the word would be INTEGRITY. It's a word that so many people these days have lost, forgotten, or never knew its meaning. (Relativism will do that to a society.) Grace's has always had its niche in our community. It was a place of acceptance, not exclusivity, as some commentors have inferred. It was a place where, (agree with this or not), God was moving in and through people's lives. It was a place for family. It was, in a very spiritual sense, a home.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, "Most people have forgotten nowadays what a home can mean, though some of us have come to realize it as never before. It is a kingdom of its own in the midst of the world, a stronghold amid life's storms and stresses, a refuge, even a sanctuary. It is not founded on the shifting sands of outward or public life, but it has its peace in God, for it is God who gives it special meaning and value, and its own nature and privilege, its own destiny and dignity. It is an ordinance of God in the world, the place which - whatever may happen in the world - peace, quietness, joy, love, purity, discipline, respect, obedience, tradition and with it all, happiness may dwell. . . .In a word, live together in the forgiveness of your sins, for without it no human fellowship can survive. Don't insist on your rights, don't blame each other, don't judge or condemn each other, don't find fault with each other, but accept each other as you are, and forgive each other every day from the bottom of your hearts."
If Dietrich Bonhoeffer were alive today, I think he would have found a home at Grace Cafe . . .and a great cup of coffee.
Thank you Grace for your faithfulness and opening up your "home" to the Cape community for these past several years.
LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION!
Put Grace's in the same spot as Starsuck's and it would thrive.
The employee's were much friendlier than the 'baristas" at Starsuck's.
BABE, the closure is a combination of both.
My hunch is that the MMH will attract a different demographic than Grace. Especially on the weekends, so long as they still have shows going on.
-- Posted by xthesamesonx on Fri, Oct 3, 2008, 4:21 pm CDT
Yes, a different demographic...aka...bands that just aren't limited to "Christian" music.
Yeah, great place. I loved it, the entertainment was diverse, there was off color poetry nights, bands of all kinds and back grounds. (none of which were religious based) And the Free Trade Coffee *giggle* was the best. Oh...btw, ask Grace where she purchased her Free Trade Coffee.
My hunch is that the MMH will attract a different demographic than Grace. Especially on the weekends, so long as they still have shows going on.
So now there are only 999,999 coffee shops in Cape ... how will we ever get by. This ain't about religion, people, unless you're talking about the almighty and trendy church of the grinded bean.
Besides, Grace would've been in trouble as soon as Mississippi Mud opened across the street.
TJ-442
Never worked there in my life...need another scapegoat? Keep searching...
I worked at Grace Cafe for nearly two years. It was a wonderful place to work. It was a business, but it mostly felt like a family. I was an irresponsible, lazy college student that Grace taught how to love people through even the business world.
In recent days I have led a discussion group called Socrates' Cafe that meets in Grace Cafe. Our topics are far-reaching and controversial. We have discussed theology, politics, and philosophy. There have been Chrsitians and non-Christians take part in our conversations. And here is the one thing I have heard, "This is the most open and honest atmosphere I have been in."
I assure you, neither Grace Cafe nor its owner are in way, shape, or form bigoted.
I resent the comment about a dear friend.
We need further clarification on a few points, TJ. You cite Grace's self-identification as an owner of a "Christian coffee shop" and her refusal or inability to entertain how non-religious patrons might react to this label. This proves that Grace understands herself to be conducting some sort of specifically Christian business. I'm a little hesitant to say her silence to "the interviewer" proves anything. At worst it proves she doesn't care about her non-Christian customers; at best she simply hasn't thought it through.
Some questions:
--Proving Grace's is "Christian" according to its owner doesn't tell us what happens IN PRACTICE in the store. What is it about the daily goings-on of the place that you are reading as hostile to the non-religious? Grace is only one piece of the puzzle. What about employees? Customers? General environment? (I'll repeat my earlier question: what makes a latte sacred or secular?) The last time I was in town, I went to the cafe one day with a copy of the Marx-Engels reader under my arm. No one asked me to leave.
--Perhaps your beef is that Grace's Christianity is of the sort that people should not support her by supporting her business. In this case, the problem is not so much the "Christianness" of the cafe itself but the particular Christianity of the owner--a Christianity that you call bigoted. If this is so, I think you owe the readers of this site (and Grace) some more specifics. It's not enough to point out that someone is religious and say that they are therefore bigoted. We need to know what specifically is so bad.
I'm willing to believe with you that there may, indeed, be something so bad about Grace-brand Christianity that the cafe should not be supported. And I applaud your withholding of patronage if you have indeed found something so pernicious behind it. But until you convince me that either the space is hostile toward non-Christians or the business's profits are funding an unequivocally hostile Christianity, I will keep on believing a woman who dares to offer fair trade coffee in Southeast Missouri at a price that barely allows her to stay in business possesses a remarkable concern for other human beings--one to be respected and admired. Given the fact that none of us agree entirely with any of the people to whom we give our business, why do you think the drawbacks of Grace Cafe outweigh its contributions to Cape society?
I'm confused. Is it the hours needed to run the business or the economy that is causing the closing?
I would visit Starbucks more often if they would take a clue from McDonalds and put their coffee in a sturdier cup.
Thank you Grace for all you have provided for our community. You are raising a beautiful family and may God give you guidance on what direction to take next...
In a 2005 Conversation with Grace Parry,
Parry: This is a Christian Coffeeshop
Interviewer: What would your "other" religious affiliated customers think of that?
Parry: *Silence*
Instead of blaming a slow economy on why your investment failed, how about looking at the fact that you didn't create something that had enough demand to realize sustained profit?
Once again someone is scapegoating for their inability to produce.
i love going to this place on the weekends for coffee i dont want them to close but if that whats she needs to then do it girl !!!!!!!!!! god bless you!!!!!!!!
TJ_442 - I love when ignorant people make stupid statements about people they don't know and don't even have the intellegence to back up their opinion...ridiculous.
Olive - Grace's sold ONLY fair trade coffee...better than just 5% if you ask me...20 cents seems worth it if you care about the welfare of the people working this coffee enough to mention the fair trade to begin with.
A few comments.
--It is correct that Starbucks has a comparatively strong track record regarding treatment of their employees. It is also the case that fair trade coffee is available (typically only upon request) at Starbucks locations. Perhaps the question, for those concerned about the coffee industry particularly and the integrity of businesses vis-a-vis their suppliers and workers, is whether or not Grace's exhibited substantially more just business practices with respect to suppliers and workers. Regarding suppliers, I think Grace indubitably did so; her percentage of fair trade merchandise dwarved the percentages of Starbucks. With respect to workers--I'll leave that discussion to people who currently live in Cape (I only am in town on holidays, typically).
--Whether Starbucks or Grace coffee tastes better is personal preference; that's an unresolvable issue. What I think is worth discussing, however, is the type of social space a place like Grace's occupies in a community versus the type of space Starbucks occupies--and, for those of us who don't have strong taste preferences, and who can afford twenty cents more for coffee, whether the difference warrants us giving our business to one over the other. My inclination is that Grace's, as a locally-owned, downtown business, provided a quasi-public sphere where people could gather and interact, in a part of town that so needs such gathering points. It attracted a number of demographics (young and old, Christian and non-Christian, Chelsea Clinton and conservative members of the Southern Baptist Convention). If sterility and non-religiously or politically committed business owners is what local towns thrive on (at least, apparently non-committed), then Starbucks it is. But I don't think this is the case. Perhaps I can be corrected. And perhaps someone can tell me what makes a latte "secular" or "sacred."
TJ 442
Do you even know the Parry's? That would be a great place to meet.
My comment was not meant to be sarcastic. I truly believe in the Power of Prayer and know that Grace's decision was not made on her own. She sought guidance and I will pray for her during what may be a sad time for all involved.
How sad that some of you take this as a moment to revel in someone else's sadness. Grace's religious beliefs and her Christian work ethic have nothing to do with the closure of the coffee shop. If she was too giving and too kind and gave until she could give no more, then she is my role model. Christ commands us to love one another, to feed the hungry. Grace did those things. She's a hero in my book. I pray those of you who have such vitriol and hate for Christianity will find the peace in your lives that Grace has found and shared with so many others.
Oh! The Power of Prayer!!!
heye1967...My usual latte at Grace cafe was 20 cents higher than Starbucks. I thought Starbucks' espresso tasted fresher and better than Grace Cafe's did. Their coffee does not blow, otherwise they wouldn't be so successful.
Stop pointing your fingers at Starbucks because they've figured out want people want and mom and pop shops don't have a clue and can't keep up. People think Starbuck's stores drive small businesses out of town, thus, they are evil. Your thinking is so linear and shallow here. Small coffee shops usually don't support Fair Trade coffee, Starbucks uses 5%. Small stores can't offer insurance or a living wage for their employees, Starbucks can and does. Gourmet coffee wasn’t popular before Starbuck’s mainstreamed it. Mom and Pop should be thanking the big green monster. Baristas at Starbucks in Cape are some of the most considerate people you'll meet. And I prefer my lattes to be secular. Grace Cafe had a prime location, and a decent atmosphere. Could it be, maybe just maybe, that Ms. Perry was a bad business woman?
awesume place sorry 2 hear of this,good luck
Hopefully the owner will explore trying to find a buyer to take over the business. The Cape/Jackson area needs more of these locally owned businesses, but unfortunately most of the population are only interested in the dime-a-dozen chain joints that are a rip-off and quite frankly suck. Starbucks coffee blows and is ridiculously expensive, and it would be nice if somebody else was willing to buy Grace.
I've heard of this place, but never made the time to try their bill of fare. I'm sorry to see yet another business close because of hard economic times.
Good luck to the owner and her family.
I have never even heard of this place.
OH MY GA!!!!!! I definitely hate this I love their sandwiches and soups. The Crouque Monsieur on foccacia is the absolute bomb!!!!! And their Chocolate Chip Scone is simply amazing!!!! My sister practically lived there before her new job!!!!! I wish I had the money to take over I definitely would!!!!!!! I would even keep the employees as they are all so nice. Any one that can help them stay open please help!!!!!! :)
This saddens me. Grace's is such a wonderful place. This is a real loss for the community.