It All Started on a Napkin
It’s the fall of 2016 in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Bieber was preaching to “Love Yourself”.
Daniel was “back at it again with the white Vans”.
And, the “water bottle challenge” had just begun.
For Amy Counce, she was sitting across from her dad at Homer’s Cafe on a Sunday afternoon with a dream, a pen, and a napkin. The thought was to create a space for community, a gathering place where the foundation of a village could be laid. It took prayer. It took hope. But, in the summer of the following years, the doors to Nexus Coffee and Creative opened for the very first time.
But, no dream turned into reality could be complete without the mission behind it. It’s certainly enough to have a heart like Amy’s, putting everything she has back into the community. But, it’s her words that truly catalyzed the creation of Nexus.
“Our “why” is community. Our “how” is through coffee.” These are words Amy lives by each and every day. There isn’t a stranger in sight when you first visit Nexus. From the regulars grabbing “secret menu” treats, to visitors from out of state snagging a Seasonal Special, to the busy folks hustling from one spot to the next, just needing that last push of caffeine.
While Amy is never shy to speak fondly of the folks she works alongside, she’s ever the cheerleader for the folks wandering around Downtown Little Rock, looking for a little warmth and energy. “Our community is the foundation that drives our team, gives us purpose, and allows us to create a safe space for Downtown Little Rock.”
And create it she did. Nexus has been host to both live and virtual events for years now. From musicians, to Murder Mystery parties, to virtual Q&A’s with podcasters and professors alike, Nexus truly welcomes the creativity of each and every person who steps through their doors.
Even with a global pandemic, the “Narwhals” of Nexus continue to find strength in numbers as they celebrate four years of business in 2021. "We have a team of talented and passionate leaders.” Says Amy, “It truly takes a village to build a dream and continue to elevate our wins together." The community and customers of Nexus have stood firm against the challenging times as a bright light for Amy and her team, sparking the brilliant idea of their recent rebrand.
From a coffee cup to a lighthouse, this central and most important place has shed a beam of hope into the world. And, as Amy and her team continue to develop, grow, and give to their community, the ideas and aspirations of this corner coffeeshop continue as well.
But, that’s a story for another time.
Amy and her team have so much to share, and those stories deserve a place within the highly-caffeinated history books. So, be sure to return here or sign up for the Nexus Newsletter to always stay on top of the latest for Nexus Coffee and Creative.
CALEB PATTON | AUTHOR
From music to mycology, coffee to cartoons, there isn't anything Caleb Patton won't talk about passionately. Local to Little Rock and a wizard of words, Caleb has been writing for as long as he can remember. With work featured in Idle Class Magazine and experience working alongside the Ologies podcast with Alie Ward, he's always happy to lend a hand in making any voice and story heard.
