Common Grounds coffee shop connects communities

VIRGINIA BEACH

Not only does New Life at Virginia Beach serve its congregation through prayer each weekend, they also serve up hot cups of coffee for local businesses during the week.

Common Grounds is a coffee shop that opened a year ago in the foyer of the family-oriented church, located on Business Park Drive. The church has been in the building, previously owned by a business, for more than five years.

When the Rev. Todd Rawlings became pastor of New Life at Virginia Beach two and a half years ago, his first thought was, “When can we sell this building and move?”

But, as he sat in a chair in the front corner of the church, he contemplated how they could reach out to the surrounding business community. Coffee was the answer.

“We had 80 church members when I first came,” said Rawlings, of Chesapeake. “Now we average 135 and up to 180 during a Sunday service.”

He added, “A lot of the folks who come in drift into the church, but others go elsewhere and that’s OK. This has been a fantastic outreach, and we’re serving the community.”

In addition to coffee, Common Grounds sells hot and cold lattes, cappuccino, mocha, hot tea, frozen lemonade and an assortment of food items including baked goods, bagels, muffins and more.

They also have cozy seating areas and provide free Wi-Fi.

“We’re nothing like a Starbucks,” said Rawlings, who is also an adjunct professor in the philosophy and religion department at Regent University.

Common Grounds and New Life rely on little to no advertising, except signage in the area and occasional fl iers to nearby businesses.

“In a strange way, the coffee shop spreads the word,” said Rawlings.

Weekly specials such as $1 lattes on Tuesdays or hot chocolate on Thursdays often brings in customers in droves.

Brianna Armstrong, 38, used to stop in for a cup of coffee on a regular basis before she joined the church last year. She now works in Common Grounds, which is managed by church member Liza Weber.

“It’s a peaceful atmosphere,” Armstrong said, “a refuge and a safe place where all your problems are left at the door. I feel that I was given so much coming here as a customer, that I want to give back a portion of what I’ve gained.”

Erin Hatcher, a business insurance specialist for The Ware Company, located next door to Common Grounds, is also a regular customer.

“It’s nice to get out of the office for an hour to pop over at lunch and not have to go very far,” said Hatcher.

Rawlings sees expanding the coffee shop’s use by bringing in bands on Friday and Saturday nights and letting people hang out.

“I don’t know what the future will bring,” said Rawlings, who may have to think about moving as the congregation continues to grow. “But, wherever we would go, we would still look to have a coffee shop.”

Sandra J. Pennecke, Pennecke@cox.net