Chapter 30
30
S uper chill spot for a coffee and something sweet. Our book club has been meeting here for years, and it’s always a pleasure walking into Coffee Loft where Ginger and her team greet us with smiles and the best service . ~ The Caffeinated Bookworms
C harleen stood at the front door of Hearts Fur Love as soon as Ginger pulled into a parking space. She gave a little wave when Ginger stepped out of her car to head up the gravel walkway bordered by sedum and brown-eyed Susans in full bloom.
“Sorry to bother you two days in a row.” Ginger walked inside the shelter as Charleen held the door for her. She’d meant to mention her idea to Charleen yesterday, but she’d forgotten once Charleen shared the news about Cal writing the dogs’ profiles.
“Oh, it’s no problem at all. You mentioned a business proposition on the phone.” Charleen said. “I hope you don’t want your donation back. I’ve already spent it on dog food. Twenty-two fifty-pound bags, to be exact.” She giggled.
Ginger paused, in part because she couldn’t picture that much dog food.
Charleen’s eyes popped. “Yes, you heard right.”
“I’m glad it was put to good use right away.” Where on earth did they keep that much food?
Charleen led her into an office. She pointed to a chair upholstered in a paisley pattern set in front of a beat-up metal desk. Glamour shots of dogs covered the wall. A wall calendar still showed the month of July. Charleen’s desk was littered with paperwork, soda cans, and a half-filled mug of coffee. A peace lily with droopy leaves sat on the corner of the desk.
“I’m assuming this business proposition is related to Coffee Loft, then?” Charleen said as she pushed a bowl of peppermints toward Ginger.
Ginger took one. “Thank you. Yes, it is.”
“And I’m sure you already know this, but we’re a nonprofit. There’s a limit on what we can do.”
“I understand. That’s why this might work for both of us.” Ginger shifted in her seat.
“Are you and Cal in cahoots or something?”
She smiled at the word “cahoots.” It’d been a minute since she was in cahoots with anyone, being one who preferred to keep to herself.
“No, this is all me. I’d like to purchase a mobile coffee truck and direct the profits solely to Hearts Fur Love for the foreseeable future.”
Charleen looked at her like she waited for the punch line. Then Charleen’s blank look turned to full-blown smile. “But why would you do that? Not to sound ungrateful, and I love that idea, but you’re a businesswoman. How does this benefit you?”
“I’ve been lucky with my success at Coffee Loft. It’s immensely satisfying to watch the joy that a simple cup of coffee brings to people.” She shook her head with wonder. “But lately I’ve been thinking it’s not enough.”
Charleen nodded thoughtfully. “Tell me more.”
Ginger explained how she’d long wanted to do something bigger in the way of community outreach. Getting to know Cal better and his foster work gave her direction. With her proposal, she could help the shelter and do what she did best: sell coffee. She’d told Charleen that the shelter wouldn’t have to oversee the staff or maintain the truck; she’d take care of everything. Once expenses were covered, all income would go directly to the shelter. Having a mobile truck would also provide another training experience for her employees. She’d need to hire another crew member, but she envisioned her employees taking turns learning the mobile coffee business. This would help employees like Alice who yearned for something greater, too.
“I think this benefits my business and your shelter in equal measure. We both get more exposure.”
“I’ve already run the idea by my attorney,” Ginger explained. “Without diving in too deeply, she mentioned that’s it’s doable if we’re careful with the language in the contract and that it syncs with your board's vision, too. ”
“Can you get something on paper for me to present at our next meeting?”
She nodded. “I sure will.”
Charleen reached across the desk to give Ginger one of her all-encompassing handshakes. “I hope this works out. I absolutely adore this idea.”
“I do, too.”
Charleen’s face brightened. “Are you taking ideas for names? How does Puppa Cuppa Joe sound?” She chortled at her own wit.
She’d been playing with names. Maybe she’d sponsor a naming contest at Coffee Loft.
When Charleen let go of her hands to jot a note, Ginger cleared her throat.
“Charleen?” She rested her elbows on the arms of the chair and leaned forward. “I could really use your help with one more thing.”