New owner fights to keep Colorado coffee shop afloat through pandemic
When Amy Adams purchased Quince Coffee House from her friend, she had exciting plans to expand the business. Then the pandemic hit, and she was left wondering if the business would survive at all.
She signed the lease for the building on February 20 and opened its doors March 9, four days after Denver confirmed its first case of COVID-19. Since then, she’s been in a constant state of adapting.
“I have anxieties—which is a little different than fear, because it’s with me all the time—about paying my bills and my employees, first and foremost,” Adams said.
Quince is located in East Denver's Montclair neighborhood, at 1447 Quince St., just off Colfax and Quebec. The shop is set in a historic bungalow, with an inviting porch and front yard. But during the pandemic, the number of visitors to this quaint neighborhood shop has declined.
Adams says she has applied for numerous grants and loans, but that so many businesses are affected by the pandemic that the available money runs out quickly. She says the public has a misconception that small businesses are receiving large relief checks, which isn't always the case.
“The other thing with COVID that people aren’t understanding is that I still have to pay rent, which is very expensive," Adams said. "I have to pay my employees, and I have to cover food costs.”
Liz Kyle is the manager at Quince Coffee House. She is hopeful for the future. She expects that in about a year, they’ll be able to look back and laugh at the struggles they’re currently working through. For now, she is focusing on giving her guests some peace of mind.
“We do our best to keep things clean and safe for our community,” Kyle said. “It’s a very family-based coffee shop. Everyone comes in with their children and we just try to stay accommodating for everyone that still wants to have coffee and their normal day.”
According to Kyle, hand sanitizer is stationed throughout the coffee shop and the bathrooms are cleaned after each use.
Kyle is honest when guests ask how the coffee shop is doing: business is slow. However, she's optimistic that Quince's customers will help them make it through the pandemic.
“I really feel like our community is going to keep us alive during this,” Kyle said. “It’s just going to create a very strong bond between us all.”