Long Beach, California, home to beautiful beaches, eclectic culture, and Wrigley Coffee. But this isn’t just a coffee shop—it’s a communal heartbeat nestled in a neighborhood filled with stories of hope and inspiration. It’s a place where they are building community through coffee.
Andrew Nishimoto, who has a passion for helping others, found himself on an unconventional path to the world of specialty coffee. His journey began not in a bustling cafe but in the nonprofit sector. For Andrew, coffee was a side passion, something he thought about often but never fully dove into. But that all changed when the opportunity came to blend his two passions in the form of Wrigley Coffee.
Watch the entire interview on YouTube below!
Where it all started
“It was a weird entry into coffee,” Andrew recalls. “I’ve always worked in nonprofit circles. Coffee was more of an entrepreneurial dream, something to do on the side.” That dream, however, took a serious turn when COVID-19 struck. Vulnerable families were facing job shortages and unsafe working conditions. While walking through a neighborhood in Long Beach with a local pastor, they stumbled upon an empty cafe building—and an idea was born.
Fast forward to today, and that vacant building is now Wrigley Coffee, a place where the brew is rich, but the mission is richer. Wrigley Coffee’s purpose is more than serving great coffee; it’s about providing jobs, skills, and hope to those beset by barriers.
The Mission of Wrigley Coffee
“We wanted to create a safe place for people to work and learn job skills,” says Andrew. At Wrigley Coffee, employees receive comprehensive training in customer service, supply chain management, and cash handling. But that’s just the tip of the coffee bean. The cornerstone of Wrigley’s mission is trauma-informed care, equipping employees to deal with their past traumas and discern healthy work environments for their future.
“We wanted to create a safe place for people to work and learn job skills”
Andrew Nishimoto
It’s a delicate balancing act: staying true to the mission while striving for sustainability. Andrew’s competitive nature doesn’t make it any easier. He is constantly balancing the mission and profitability in the best way possible. But his dedication to fostering an abundance mindset over scarcity continues to pay off. Every strategic risk taken—from extending hours to adding special programs—has been met with the warm embrace of their supportive community.
Operating as a Non-Profit
As a nonprofit, Wrigley Coffee operates differently from your typical for-profit coffee shop. There’s no profit motive, no equity stakes. Every dollar earned is reinvested back into the staff and programs, keeping the focus firmly on their mission.
“We want to make sure that when people walk into our shop, they experience exactly what we envision: a warm, welcoming community space.”
Andrew Nishimoto
So, what does a typical day at Wrigley Coffee look like? One filled with the intoxicating aroma of specialty blends, but more importantly, a space buzzing with community spirit. Regular open mic nights, movie screenings, and support group meetings ensure that Wrigley Coffee is very much a part of the neighborhood it serves. Every table is intentionally designed for communal seating, subtly encouraging strangers to become friends.
Community and Beyond
When Andrew is not at Wrigley Coffee, you’ll find him coaching on the soccer field, where he enjoys helping and nurturing future athletes. Coaching, like managing a coffee shop, is about teamwork and leadership. It’s another avenue for him to channel his energy and make a difference.
If you’re ever in Long Beach, do yourself a favor and visit Wrigley Coffee. It’s a must-visit spot for anyone passionate about great coffee and even greater causes. You can follow them on Instagram @wrigleycoffee or check out their website at wrigleycoffee.org to stay updated on their latest.
Wrigley Coffee is more than a shop; it’s a testament to how coffee can build communities, transform lives, and be a vehicle for the greater good. So next time you sip your coffee, think about stories like Wrigley’s and the power of a cup of coffee to bring people together. Cheers to that!
