For the last 25 years, The Coffee Shop in downtown Pampa has provided the citizens of Pampa a cozy corner nook to sit, relax, socialize and enjoy artisan coffee, lunch and treats as sweet as the Shop’s owners and managers.
Robin Nelson, her daughter, Stephanie Nelson and long-time friend and Coffee Shop lifer, Rachael Cambern, have made it their mission to offer something in Pampa that is more traditional and community-focused, and with their friendly smiles, quality product and being located in the heart of downtown, their mission has been proven successful.
Robin and her husband made a decision in 1999 that would not only change their lives, but would also unintentionally aid in the revitalization of the historic downtown and become a spark of inspiration.
“I was looking for something to do. My children were in school and I wanted to be available for them, but I needed something else,” Robin said.
“My husband travels as an engineer and the cities that he had been to had coffee shops. Well that was 25 years ago and we hadn’t really heard much about coffee shops in Pampa. He just thought they were really neat and so he asked what would you think about doing that? And from there, God just took it over! We got a building and we remodeled it and fixed up the other offices. We just started out doing coffees and lattes and sodas and a few fancy drinks.”
“We were looking for a building and this happened to be available. It wasn’t necessarily intentional that we were downtown. We thought it would be cool when the building came open. But from there we were one of the first businesses to kind of open downtown back up with The Coffee Shop. About five years later we bought the building across the street so my dad could open up his engineering consulting business and we renovated that building. So that kind of kicked off this little end and it’s really been exciting to watch downtown grow over the years,” Stephanie said.
It wasn’t long before The Coffee Shop became the ultimate hang-out and relaxation spot and the community was eager to see this local business expand and thrive.
Listening to the suggestions of their customers, lunch was soon added and the daily menus consisted of different sandwiches, soups and salads.
“Everything to this point has been what they want. They would be like can we get this chip or could we get a different bread or different dressing or soup would be good. So we just keep adding on!” Rachael said.
Rachel Cambern started working for The Coffee Shop in 2002 part time while she was attending college. Little did she know that she would become not just a full-time employee and manager, but a beloved member of the Nelson Family.
“I moved here and needed a job. I was finishing college and someone said you should go downtown and apply at The Coffee Shop. So I walked in and they were like sure, you’re hired! I started and it was great. I kind of just fell into it,” Rachael said.
“Rachel came along and really took over everything for us. She manages everything and handles anything that we need. We couldn’t do it without her absolutely. She’s more than just the manager, she’s our family,” Stephanie Nelson said.
“I got to see her meet her husband, marry him, have two children and one is graduating this year!” Robin added.
“We couldn’t do it without everybody that has been here. This is really a family business through and through. Anybody that works here, we hope that they feel like family here and want our customers to feel like family. It’s really important for us to have that relationship. It’s not just about owning a coffee shop and running it, it’s a ministry and we want to impact the community in a positive way.”
Since its conception, The Coffee Shop has built a strong, loyal customer base, and although name-brand coffee shops have come into Pampa since, that sense of family and the tight-knit relationships that have been built within the community can’t be seen and felt anywhere else like that charming spot on Cuyler and that’s precisely what keeps the people coming back.
“There is a 91-year-old man that came in on the very first day we opened and he has been coming every day, three times a day. He has the same coffee,” Robin said with a smile. “When me and my husband opened it, we wanted it to be a place of ministry and fellowship and family. After 25 years, there’s just so many that we think of as family and I think they do us too.”
“It’s really been a special thing. We’ve had several people over the years. Now we have the early morning men’s group, the afternoon ladies that come, we have bible studies that come, we have the afternoon men’s group that come. It’s every single day the same people and it’s pretty special,” Stephanie said.
Aside from being a part of the daily and weekly routines for many of Pampa’s citizens, The Coffee Shop has also gotten to witness and contribute to major life events and milestones for them as well.
“The Coffee Shop really has been a part of people’s lives. We’ve had baby showers here and wedding showers, weddings, graduations-it’s really been special for us to kind of be a part of everyone’s lives that way.”
“It’s where people come together, it’s where they meet and stay connected. It’s been a part of most of my life. I can’t imagine not being here with everyone and seeing everyone through the years. It’s been huge in development of character in friendships and relationships and just getting to grow with it over the years has been really special. We thank everyone that has been here and continues to be here and everyone that will come. We are very grateful to even have an opportunity to be in their lives.”
Visit The Coffee Shop at 220 N. Cuyler in Pampa, open Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 9 PM and Saturday from 7 AM to 5 PM and make sure to take advantage of their delicious lunch specials from 11 AM until 2 PM.
