Somebody’s Coffee: Being What the Neighborhood Needs ☕

A Fruitland Heights community spotlight

There’s a special kind of magic when a business opens not just to sell something—but to serve something deeper. Somebody’s Coffee was born from that exact impulse: a love of community, a belief in neighborhood beauty, and a simple question—what do we need right here?

From idea to intention

The story of Somebody’s Coffee begins with friendship and trust. When a close friend invited the owner to look at a small property she deeply cared about, there was a shared understanding: this place should become something sweet, welcoming, and rooted in community—not condos or something disconnected from the neighborhood’s soul.

When she stepped inside the empty little building, it spoke clearly: coffee house.

At the same time, she was feeling a gap many Fruitland Heights residents know well—the lack of a true “third space.” Somewhere to get good coffee, eat something decent, and work or gather outside the home. As someone who had spent years working remotely in healthcare IT, she knew the feeling of wanting to step out for coffee… and realizing the closest option meant leaving the neighborhood altogether.

Her response? Simple and bold: be what you need.

“I invested in a home in this neighborhood, and I believe deeply that our communities already have wealth—beauty, creativity, culture—right here,” she says. “We don’t need to leave our neighborhoods to thrive.”

That philosophy became the foundation of Somebody’s Coffee.

The feeling when you walk in

Ask customers what Somebody’s Coffee feels like, and the answer is remarkably consistent: home. A sense of care. Wholesomeness. The feeling that someone truly wanted to serve you a beautiful cup of coffee.

That intention even lives in the logo. The familiar to-go cup represents modern coffee culture, while the heart, flame, and rising smoke symbolize passion. Together, they reflect how the team feels about what they create every day.

And creativity runs in the family. Many of the shop’s signature drinks are inspired by the owner’s son, Amiir—an industry artisan with a remarkable palate. His influence shows up in bold, thoughtful flavor combinations that feel both playful and grounded.

Learning together, building together

One of the most powerful parts of this story? Nobody involved pretended to already “know it all.”

When the idea became real in May 2025, they knew virtually nothing about running a coffee shop. So they did what strong communities do: they asked for help. Amiir reached out to fellow baristas and colleagues, who generously trained them on equipment, operations, marketing, and the realities of café life.

“That generosity is the only reason we’re here,” she says. “We don’t believe in doing anything alone.”

More than coffee

Somebody’s Coffee is designed to be a true third space for Fruitland Heights:

• A welcoming home for poets and intimate performances

• Story time and safe gathering space for children

• A hub for local entrepreneurs to meet, plan, and grow together

• A business that also shows up elsewhere—volunteering time and hands with other organizations

This isn’t just about coffee. It’s about connection.

Representation that matters

As a Black woman–owned business, the shop’s presence is both intentional and hopeful. The goal isn’t spectacle—it’s visibility.

“I want people to see that we can build something simple, beautiful, and inspiring right where we are,” she says. “I want to challenge people to stay, invest, buy homes, and create businesses in their own neighborhoods.”

That vision echoes generations before her. On both sides of her family, entrepreneurship and mutual aid were simply how life worked. If someone knew how to do something better, you asked—and they helped. Somebody’s Coffee is a modern continuation of that legacy.

What to order first

If it’s your first visit, there’s one clear recommendation:Try a drink made with their small-batch Cleverly Bay syrup.

Fan favorites include:

• The Sunshine Express

• The Dirty Matcha Latte with Banana Coconut Cream

These are the kinds of drinks you might not order on your own—but once you do, your face will probably light up. (That moment is one of the owner’s favorite parts of the job.)

Challenges & joys

Like most small businesses today, funding has been the biggest hurdle. Somebody’s Coffee was self-funded through savings—a leap of faith that wasn’t easy, but has been deeply worth it.

“I am completely, totally in love with what we do,” she says. “Watching someone discover something they didn’t know they’d love—that’s everything.”

What’s next

The future at Somebody’s Coffee is already brewing:

• Expanding the in-house marketplace

• Licensing the space for events

• Launching their own coffee brand

• Sharing the land with an Apothecary and a Metaphysical shop, creating a small ecosystem of care and creativity (opening expected Q1 2026)

A message to Fruitland Heights

Supporting Somebody’s Coffee is refreshingly simple: come in and buy coffee. It’s more affordable than major chains, locally rooted, and—according to just about everyone—tastes better too.