Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Hopkins.
Holly, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
MOD Coffeehouse was founded in 2001 by the Brown Family who wished to being something a little “modern” yet warm with hospitality to historic downtown Galveston, and saw a need for a gathering place. In 2009, the coffeehouse was inundated with over 9 ft. of flood waters from Hurricane Ike. While the Browns wished to see what had affectionately become known as “the MOD” continue, they were ready to transition the business to new owners. Through a serendipitous conversation with friends in December of 2008, I learned of the Browns desires to seek new ownership. With a deep love of coffee and community and a background as a professional Social Worker, the opportunity to continue what had become a community gathering place was the perfect match and in keeping with my deeply held beliefs there are many ways to be of service to others. I partnered with Angela and Craig Brown in the spring of 2009 to reopen the coffeehouse and became the full time owner and steward in 2010. MOD continues to be a diverse community gathering place, with a heartbeat of its own. Due to the love and support of all those who enjoy the MOD, our incredible team of dedicated professional Baristas and Bakers, and our rock-star roaster Katz Coffee, MOD Coffeehouse turns “sweet 16” this year! We are a values led business dedicated to service – service to our customers and to our broader community. We strive to help people – our customers and each other – to have a better day. This is our mission and purpose.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My stars ~ it’s the lumps and bumps, twists and turns, ups and downs of living which keep things interesting and help to maintain a healthy perspective! The journey of “our little community coffeehouse that could” over the past 16 years has been eventful and full of every form of learning and growth opportunity! Rebuilding post-hurricane twice in less than a decade has been quite an adventure!
In the years immediately following hurricane Ike, we experienced some tight periods – through it all though, MOD was embraced and bolstered by the greater Galveston-Houston area while the region stabilized post storm. The pluck and love of our community and the MOD Squad, as well as strong partnerships with our vendors, has made it possible for us to not only thrive through these storms, but also transformed the recovery processes into experiences wherein the positives far outweighed the negatives. The eclectic decoupage tables throughout MOD were handmade by customers following Ike. Within hours of the rains stopping post-Harvey our neighbors, customers, team members and family descended upon the coffeehouse with pumps, wet-vacs, mops, laughter and love to get the water out as quickly as possible. The colorful table bases are to the credit of an inspired group of students from Ball High. The bumps and struggles we’ve experienced – we wouldn’t trade them, as they each have strengthed relationships, pushed us to learn and grow in new ways and taught us a heck of alot! Many who have spent time in this special coffeehouse that community built comment on the positive vibes which they say fill the space 🙂
MOD Coffeehouse – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
MOD Coffeehouse is a values led business grounded in being of service. Our coffeehouse specializes in hand-crafted traditional espresso based beverages, specialty coffees, teas, sweet treats and good eats made on-site in our bakery. We are nestled in the heart of historic downtown Galveston’s Postoffice Street District amongst awesome galleries, restaurants, shops and residential communities. We are grateful for the personal, family like relations we have with our customers and the ability to delight the senses while also providing a welcoming space for people to gather. Our baristas and bakers take great pride in their crafts, aspiring to deliver pleasure in every sip, every bite – aiming to help in whatever little way possible to brighten the days of those who walk through MOD’s doors. These are the things which make my heart happy!
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
How do I define success? Good stewardship, acting with integrity – having a good business means doing good business. My father had key markers he looked for in determining whether something was a “success”, I continue to try to learn from his wisdom. The “litmus tests” I learned from him includes: 1) Does ____ maximize the opportunity for good things to occur while minimizing the opportunity for bad?; 2) Are you doing the right things for the right reasons?; 3) Is ____ in keeping with your core values, and does ____ promote the success of others? For me, success is realized when others — our team members, our customers and our surrounding community, are thriving and growing. Manifesting a culture and environment wherein those who work at MOD have meaningful, gainful employment, and our customers have a consistently positive experience with our products and environment, are the inspiration and driving force of my endeavors and those of our company.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2126 Postoffice Street | Galveston, TX 77550
- Website: www.modcoffeehouse.com
- Phone: 409-765-5659
- Email: info@modcoffeehouse.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modcoffeehouse/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mod-coffeehouse-galveston
- Other: http://www.galvnews.com/opinion/editorials/free/article_de50d7e4-01ee-517a-8bc3-c0a81488b02a.html
Image Credit:
MOD Coffeehouse and Holly
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