On The Coffee Grind In Saint John: Catapult Coffee And Studio
Over the next couple of weeks, Huddle is curling up with a hot drink and sitting down with Uptown Saint John’s coffee shops to learn about the industry and business of coffee. Stay tuned for more stories like this from your favourite Saint John java slingers.
Catapult Café and Studio has perfected the balance of giving back to its community and brewing the perfect cup of Joe.
The café and studio is run by Outflow Ministry Inc., a Christian, faith-based charity that has worked for the last thirteen years with people in Saint John who live in poverty.
When the building at 116 Princess Street went up for sale in 2018, the ministry purchased it and began brainstorming how it could be used.
“There wasn’t really a spot where the general public can come in and buy something and support the work and the organization,” says Catapult Café and Studio Manager Micah Hiltz. “Coffee shops are a great spot for community, to be a safe refuge for anybody with a nice comfortable atmosphere where they can enjoy a drink or freshly baked goods, and grab something from our creative studio as well.”
Catapult Café and Studio is part of Outflow’s Catapult Social Enterprises, which includes Catapult Creative and Catapult Construction. All three provide practical work experience and a supporting team environment for people facing obstacles to employment.
One of the café’s team members was one of the first people to take part in the training program; she and her family had moved to Saint John from Somalia and Catapult worked with her to help overcome the language barrier as part of the program.
“We would take them on for several months to work through those specific barriers so that they would be a better employee for somebody down the road,” said Hiltz. “This idea of a ‘catapult’ launches things, and we want to launch these folks – we want to launch them into the workforce and see them succeed.”
Some of studio’s creative products sold at the café include a pottery line (mugs to bowls and soap dishes, made in its studio), soaps and candles, and crochet wall and plant hangers.
“Any profit we make goes right into the heart of the ministry, into Outflow’s work,” Hiltz said. “Our customers can feel good that they’re giving back – it’s more than just getting their caffeine fix.”
The original managers made the decision to source the cafe’s drinks from companies that are certified organic and fair-trade.
“One of our core values as an organization is about dignity and value and somebody’s worth,” he said. “We want to carry that on with whoever we work with, whether it’s the coffee farmers or those who pick the tea leaves.”
The cafe reopened in October 2020, having taken the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown to renovate and do further construction on their space. The café’s revenues fluctuated with Covid-restrictions but November and December are its busiest time of year, as their art and craft products sales go up.
“People are looking for a unique, creative gift for a loved one that they can feel good about and when you buy something here, you’re supporting a good cause,” Hiltz explained. “I think that really helped us, you know, and I’m hoping it’ll help us again this year.”
Catapult Café and Studio’s future plans include restarting their training program, which was put on pause because of the pandemic, and tripling the café’s space by expanding into the building’s backroom where people can lounge by a handmade fireplace made by Catapult’s carpentry company.
“We’re chugging through the restrictions and looking forward to a day where we don’t have to worry about them and hopefully with more customers coming in and being a community hub, and people meeting here and catching up again,” he said. “We look forward to that.”
Elizabeth MacLeod is a reporter in Saint John with Huddle and Acadia Broadcasting. Send her your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].