The Chaffee’s Got Heart Committee has announced their third community spotlight: Café Dawn. Chaffee’s Got Heart is highlighting local businesses and individuals that have gone above and beyond during these uncertain times. Café Dawn is co-owned by husband-and-wife Phillip Benningfield and Dawn Heigele.
Phillip Benningfield and Dawn Heigele. Image courtesy of Chaffee’s Got Heart.
The Committee sat down with barista and coffee enthusiast, Phillip Benningfield to learn how the pandemic changed things at their community-minded, environmentally conscious coffee shop.
When asked how COVID-19 caused the café to innovate the way they do businesses, Benningfield said “As a restaurant, we already take safety and health quite seriously, so COVID just caused us to up our ‘serious factor’. Fortunately, we have one of those businesses that stayed open the whole time, but at the beginning, when people were really afraid and staying at home, we only allowed take out and even did some delivery for a couple of months.”
He continued “When things started to re-open and we could again allow seating, we continually monitored it to be sure that our seating remained safe; it was a constant fluctuation between allowing it and keeping the level of exposure as low as possible. More recently, we have added heaters so people can stay comfortable outside.”
Benningfield explained why they decided to go above and beyond to contribute to the community; “Because we care about our community. We give a damn about the people that come into our business. Of course, we want to give them great coffee, but more than that, we want to give them a safe environment. And in turn, we expect them to be respectful of our safety measures so we can stay open.”
He added “We’re also motivated because of our commitment to our employees. My wife (Dawn) loses sleep over this all the time. If we are safer, we are not sick, we are always open and our team stays employed.
Cafe Dawn in Salida Image by Brooke Gilmore.
When asked where he sees examples of the idea that ‘Chaffee’s Got Heart’ Benningfield said “The best example is the way so many of our businesses have approached this. Innovating to provide services and take care of those who are sick or can’t get out. The effort and patience businesses have shown to make changes that protect their customers and employees – that to me shows our county has heart.”
Benningfield went on to explain his biggest takeaway from 2020. “Love. Family. Empathy for others. These are the important things and what we need more of. It’s important as a business to put these first, to be willing to make a lot of changes, to stick to your guns, and be as safe as possible.”
Benningfield says that Café Dawn baristas are extensively trained to properly extract espresso, steam milk and create latte art, so look at the creation in your cup before drinking it.
For those who have taken the Chaffee’s Got Heart Pledge and received a free Discovery Pass, Café Dawn offers a $5 Survival Kit which includes six bagels and a bag of coffee. Call ahead for pick up at 719-539-5105 and follow them on Facebook for the latest hours and menus.
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