SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - April Walsh and her business partner Malakiah Hammers quit their day jobs, cashed in their retirement funds, drained their savings accounts and have cast their futures together at Broke Girls' Coffee Bar on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights.
"We opened May 17 this year. So we are really brand new to the neighborhood," April said.
In a city filled to the brim with baristas, Broke Girls' found a unique way to endear themselves to the neighborhood with their suspended coffee program.
"It's a community-based program to pay it forward, to give coffee to those who can't afford coffee," April said.
Benevolent customers can purchase a suspended cup along with their regular order.
"And we have a key on the register which allows us to ring it up and then it goes into this stack. So as long as there's cups here, we have cups of coffee to give away," April explained
Along with all this good karma, Broke Girls' also features a pour over bar with exotic coffees from around the world.
"That way you can pick the kind of coffee you want and we'll brew it for you right in front of you," April said.
These two offer teas too, and the dessert case is always filled with April's fresh baked goodies.
You can enjoy your java under the leaning pomegranate tree, which also serves as a bandstand for the Saturday night concerts, lounge around with your well-treated pets, or you sit on the deck and watch Adams Avenue roll by.
"Whatever we can do for the community is awesome. We want to be part of Normal Heights," April said.
In Normal Heights, Broke Girls' has bet the house on their "pay it forward" plan, and one by one their grateful community is paying them back.
Broke Girls' Coffee Bar
3562 Adams Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
(619) 546-8302