C&D Gourmet Coffee Company

‘What’s to Love?’ http://www.everydayolympia.com/2009/10/whats-to-love-coffee/ is a weekly article featuring interviews of hand-picked locals to find out what people love and hate about downtown Olympia. Our city has recently won multiple awards. Now we’ll ask the locals what they love about this place. This week’s WTL focuses on downtown coffee shops… and features an interview with one of our newest coffee houses, C&D Gourmet Coffee Company. Let’s find out!

C&D Gourmet Coffee Companyis one of the newest coffee shops in downtown Olympia, and one of the only that has made a lasting impression on me. (Not such an easy task.) The owner, Charles Lampard, reached out to his community and has the drive to get involved and make things brighter.

When you visit his shop, not only will you be subject to his positive energy, but you will also be graced with the presence of Emma. “She is my pug and greeter at the store. She is one year old and has been “working” with me since she was six week old when she came to live with me,” Charles said.

“C&D Gourmet Coffee Company’s goal is to carry on the tradition of great coffee houses with our own unique style and ambiance. The concept is home town friendly. Business people, students, shoppers, and families find at C&D Gourmet Coffee a comfortable location to study, complete work, surf the web on free WI-FI or just take a break and read the newspaper all the while enjoying the finest and carefully prepared espresso and non-espresso beverages. ”

“We offer a variety of espresso-based beverages as well as French pressed coffee, blended beverages, pastries baked fresh daily in our store, and light lunches. All of our beverages are created individually; never from a pre-mixed package. When possible (while in season) we use fresh locally grown fruits and berries in our smoothie beverages. Locally grown means fresh and reflects our continuing commitment to support our community based small businesses.”

“The customer service and values of C&D Gourmet Coffee is Old World Style as well. Customer satisfaction is the highest priority, with an emphasis on quality and attention to detail every step of the way. The overall emotional feel is of “relaxed energy” and “friendly recognition”. Our Baristas know their customers by name and favorite beverage.”

“My attitude or feeling towards my employees goes one step further and is stated best in my business motto: ‘Assisting others to realize a purpose and through that purpose live winning lives.’ ”

“I believe I am the only gay owned and operated coffee house in Olympia. Not that we cater to any group of people over another. Not that my sexual orientation has any thing to do with anything out side of myself. It is just another bit of the diversity that will make downtown vibrant.”