Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Waller.
Jason, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Early 2017, I envisioned a place where music, coffee, and mental wellness could come together. I began to reverse engineer the thing to where we are today. I’m a first-time coffee shop owner. This is actually my first barista job. Music and community building is my main background. I’ve played in bands over half my life and I’m in a situation where I can’t tour. The situation is I want to be around my children and create something they can be proud of and benefit from. We have music every night of the week. I’m so happy with what we have created here. I wanted to Crete a place that we can break the stigma attached to mental health.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I signed the lease on 240 Dekalb Industrial Way on August 1st, 2017. I hit every possible roadblock there was available at the time. It took six months to acquire the SBA Loan. I couldn’t start the loan process until I had a lease. Then it was another seven months jumping thru the county’s hoops. Then it took another six months waiting on the contractor to complete the build-out. There was a name change, constantly fundraising to maintain the rent, break-ins, break downs, unexpected bills, etc. It was a long 2-year struggle to get open. The community that has rallied around Waller’s Coffee Shop is the real hero in this story. I have been amazed and constantly humbled by the generosity of the people who believe in this place.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We open 7 am m-f 8 am on Sat and Sun. We close at 10 pm every night. We serve Batdorf and Bronson coffee roasted right here in Atlanta. We offer sandwiches, baked goods, waffles, and smoothies. During the day you can see support groups meeting, school tutors, business meetings, students working. We have a Toddler Tuesday program where Ms. Shannon entertains in the woods next to the building from 10am-11: 30 am.
We have entertainment every night of the week. Tuesday Open Mics, Wed jam sessions, Songwriters, Bands, comedy nights, poetry readings, seminars, classes, Sunday Family Fundays, etc. We want to offer this place for the community space. A place where individuals can be themselves in a place without judgment.
We’ve emerged as the most family-friendly coffee shop around.
What was you like growing up?
I was a rambunctious child. I liked to cut up a lot. In high school, I was into skateboards and punk rock music.
Contact Info:
- Address: 240 Dekalb Industrial Way
Decatur, Ga 30030 - Website: www.wallerscoffeeshop.com
- Phone: 4049753060
- Email: wallerscoffeeshop@gmail.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/wallerscoffeeshop
- Other: www.patreon.com/wallerscoffeeshop
Image Credit:
Jenna Shea Mobley
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