Jessie Mueller created Rise coffee shop with one idea in mind: a place where all would be welcome.

Mueller had never worked in a cafe when she got the idea to open the coffee shop in the Grove back in 2013. Over the years the coffee house has evolved, now serving food, but at its core remains the idea that is a place for the community to gather.

Whether that’s for a mom’s group play date, to study, or to lend a helping hand through their coffee for the People program.

Mueller sat down with us to talk about coffee, activism and where she hopes to take the coffee house in the future.