Being a good neighbor: Another coffee shop opens in Marlborough

By Kathy Feist

No one can say Marlborough doesn’t have its share of coffee and pastry shops. V’s Sweets and The Borough both serve homemade pastries and coffee in addition to breakfast and lunch items.

Now comes a third.

Neighbors Coffee + Hospitality (not to be confused with Neighbors Cafe in Waldo) opened at 8135 Paseo with its own brand of coffee and pastries.

Since opening in mid-August, the coffee shop has drawn a lot of attention and business. But it’s not necessarily due to the coffee as much as its mission.

Neighbors Coffee brands itself as a non-profit coffee shop that employs those aging out of the foster care system.

Owners Justin Roberts and his wife Sam have a reason to be concerned about foster care. They have adopted a foster child into their young family.

“We gained a huge heart for that community,” says Justin.

The couple, who live in Marlborough, decided a year ago to combine their passion for coffee–they roast their own– with their love for their community. They purchased an old car repair garage and renovated it into an open-air Mediterranean-style experience, complete with a courtyard in the front and a small playground for children in the back. Mosaic tiled tables and custom oak furniture grace the space. Flowers brighten the teal-colored exterior.

Justin credits Sam for any artistry at the coffee shop.

The decor is decidedly open and welcoming. It reflects the Roberts’ other passion.

Justin and Sam are co-pastors of their own church called Neighbors Church, a spin-off from the Midtown KC Church. Both are part of a growing micro church “planting” movement by larger denominations, in this case the Assembly of God which provides programs on how to start a micro church.

While the coffee shop is set up as a non-profit, its articles of incorporation designates the space as a “church for religious, charitable and educational purposes.”

Justin says he keeps church and coffee shop separate.

“Our church is an Assembly of God Church, but the coffee shop is not affiliated with the Assembly of God,” he explains. “We did that because we wanted more freedom to hire. You don’t have to be a Christian to work at the coffee shop. You could identify with the LGBTQ+ community and work here.”

Justin says despite its nonprofit status, the coffee shop does pay sales tax, but is exempt from paying taxes on donations.

Neighbors Coffee sells roasted coffee beans, tea, t-shirts, hats, and logo stickers on its website.

The funding helps the couple provide an extensive foster care apprenticeship operation.

The apprenticeship program includes a coach who volunteers to provide check-ins and support. Monthly classes are conducted on various topics such as hospitality, public speaking, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship, led by experts in their fields.

The program aims to help apprentices discover their passions and connect them with opportunities in their chosen fields, including college admissions and job placements.

Already the coffee shop has added an apprentice named Lucas who has aged out of the foster care system. Another apprentice will start in October. Both are paid full wages.

Justin has enlisted the help of friends and acquaintances interested in helping with the apprenticeship program.

As the pastor of Neighbors Church, Justin has also wrapped his mission around foster care. “Neighbors Church is working foster care into the DNA of our organization” reads a statement on their website. Members are encouraged to participate at one of three tiers, from praying to adopting.

The church is also part of the Care Portal network, a platform where child welfare workers submit urgent financial requests for help to churches and community organizations.

Justin realizes there is a thin line he is walking regarding his church and coffee shop. He points to the surroundings, which have nothing pushing Christian theology. Instead, the only influence, he says, is their practice of it.

“My wife and I are religious. Part of our hospitality comes from us being religious,” he clarifies. “We want people to leave here feeling like they want to be a good neighbor to those around us. That’s our dedication to Christ.”

Learn more at www.neighborskc.coffee.