News

Under the leadership of Café Manager, John Pendleton, the Common Cup remained open for the past three weeks (though at reduced hours), for pick-up and delivery orders only–because we all know coffee is essential! The few staff who were not dependent on their pay (such as college students who had to return home), voluntarily gave up their hours to staff with greater needs. Work that was planned to be outsourced at a later date became immediate staff projects according to available skillsets. A barista skilled with a paintbrush? The whole shop has been repainted. A barista who does web design? The shop finally has a website! A barista with some electrical skills who loves a good sound system? The shop had new speakers installed. A Café Manager with woodworking skills? The bar’s been redesigned, sanded and finished for a new look. AND the entire shop got a deep clean from corner to corner, including the chairs getting scrubbed an entire shade lighter. 

 

The on and off-site projects (performed with appropriate social distancing practices), reduced pick-up hours, and new delivery services, enabled the staff to maintain their average work hours and paychecks for the past three weeks of state mandated shelter-in-place, making a huge difference for each of them. For this week and next, expected to be the peak of the virus spread in Chicago, the shop will be closed completely. However, the entire team has been enrolled in Barista Hustle and will still be able to maintain their average hours, as well as gain valuable training and certifications by taking online courses.

 

We are grateful for our coffee professionals, Director, Kari Pendleton, and Café Manager, John Pendleton, who lead and care for our coffee team so well, as well as provide excellent product/service for the community. We are also grateful for the extended Entrenuity family, friends and investors, who have positioned Entrenuity in such a way that we can continue to serve, offering much needed solutions to entrepreneurs and small businesses during these unprecedented times, as well as provide for our own employees. To God be the Glory.