5 Things I Like About Prodigy Coffeehouse
Kelly has been rewatching Gilmore Girls recently, which means I have heard a whole lot of dialogue about coffee and coffee shops.
Denver’s RiNo neighborhood, where we live, is home to many of the best coffee shops in town, including Crema (best all-around), Port Side (best biscuit), Blue Sparrow (best coffee per Kelly), Queen City (best coffee per Jed), Rye Society (best bagel sandwich), Stowaway Kitchen (best food), and Lekker (most friendly).
And while I frequent all of those amazing options, my favorite place to get coffee is Prodigy Coffeehouse.
Here are 5 reasons why:
1. The business model
I’ll let them describe it:
THE MODEL
We hire young adults from northeast Denver into a paid apprenticeship in one of our two coffeehouses. Here they discover their own inherent greatness while learning to run a craft coffeehouse. The apprenticeship is a 12-18 month experience, designed by educators, of deep work and deep learning in a culture of healing. From healing in community together, these prodigies are the next generation of leaders this city wants and needs.
OUR MISSION
Through personal development and hands-on learning in a Prodigy enterprise, young adults build a foundation of mindsets and skills for sustainable lives, economic mobility and, most importantly, to go forth and enrich their city.
OUR VISION
We envision an economically equitable Denver with a new generation of thriving, healthy, community leaders who have activated their inherent greatness.
I love it. The combination of an intentional learning environment and the expectations created by running a functional, competitive business appears to be transformational. If you’re feeling extra inspired, there’s a 13-minute documentary on the operation at www.prodigyventures.org/our-work that covers a lot of the “how” and “why” behind the process, and gives you a firsthand look at the second thing I like.
2. The people
The young people who work here are fantastic. I’ve had so many interesting interactions, especially because many of them are eager to talk about what they are doing and why they are doing it. For example, I once received an impromptu tutorial on creating latte art that was explained with obvious pride and the kind of clarity that comes from someone who is in the midst of studying to master a concept.
I enjoy reading the annual reports Prodigy releases, especially for the notes that the apprentices write about their journey, like these:
“When I found Prodigy in 2022, it changed my life, I guess. I wasn’t myself to start the year; but I have found myself.” —Autumn
“2022 taught me being able to show resiliency when bad things happened. Finding Prodigy was a highlight. This gives me a more optimistic point of view. Gives me a sense of tranquility that I don’t have to be in a rush. Right now I am building my mental health and confidence.” —Maleni
“In 2022, Life taught me to take time for yourself and do the things you enjoy every chance you get. I finally saved enough for my first truck, and GRADUATED. Which kickstarted it all, soon started a path with Prodigy and am keeping myself satisfied–challenged to accept that I am going good for where I’m at. In my life right now I am creating something. I’m building assurance and generational wealth. I got us. Wait on it. I’m building the life I want. The life I deserve.” —Roman
“In 2022 there were a lot of lessons. Learning from my mistakes, what to do and not do. Definitely some growth. Graduating high school was a highlight. This job is a highlight, 100%. Putting me first was a challenge. 2022 kinda’ shows me that I have more control of my own future. It’s in my hands. It showed me to have patience. Right now, I’m building connections. I’m making more space for myself instead of just going with it. That's building. My leadership abilities. I’m learning how to work with others. I’ve been pushed here, but I am starting to push myself. Have that mentality.” —Shaun
Listen, maybe I’m nuts, but I feel like I can feel that growth and commitment and building and push from these young people when I’m in the shop, and I like that feeling.
3. The tortas
I know that there must be tortas in New England, but they weren’t part of my life when I lived there, and in Denver I ate two just this past weekend. Here’s a quick explanation for the uninitiated:
Prodigy has two breakfast torta options, ham or poblano, and they are both excellent, hearty ways to start the day. (I usually opt for the heat of the poblano). I’m so happy tortas are part of my life now.
4. The vibe
The shop in Globeville near me is bright, with a ton of windows, and has a classroom right in the middle that makes present the mission of growth. Art is on the wall, including the quetzal birds that serve as Prodigy’s logo, along with a decal of text:
def: prodigy \n, a person, especially a young one, endowed with exceptional abilities
There’s no hipster coffee shop vibe here, it’s all positivity.
5. Large coffee < $3
All of the outdated financial shaming about skipping your latte while we live in a world of predatory capitalistic behavior aside, I still appreciate when my large coffee tastes good and has a two in the dollar spot (you know, like gasoline except without the taste part).
Want to get a coffee and talk about something? Let me know!