In Plainview, Nebraska, a local coffee shop is stepping up to support residents facing financial strain amid rising commodity prices and the ongoing federal government shutdown. Just Love Coffee, known for its diverse selection of international coffee beans and unique menu offerings, has become a hub of community resilience.
Owner Susan Norris has managed to keep prices unchanged for two years despite significant cost increases. She noted that coffee prices had already surged by 85% in the year before new tariffs were introduced, and additional import duties have further strained supply. As a result, the variety of beans offered has dropped from 20 to just eight due to sourcing challenges.
Despite these pressures, Norris has found ways to give back. In response to economic hardship caused by the shutdown, she launched a community meal program. Patrons in need can simply request a meal and receive food at no cost. This initiative reflects her commitment to supporting neighbors during uncertain times.
Regular customer Brook Curtiss praised Norris’s efforts, highlighting how the gesture goes beyond business—it’s an act of care for the town’s well-being. Norris remains focused on finding sustainable ways to assist her community while navigating the growing financial burden on her small enterprise.
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Nebraska coffee shop helps out community members due to economic uncertainty
PIERCE COUNTY, Neb. (KCAU) — A coffee shop tries to push back against economic troubles and uncertainty in a small town in Nebraska. n nJust Love Coffee is one of many coffee houses in Plainview Nebraska. What sets the shop apart is its variety of foreign beans, unusual food selection, and their connections with charities. n nHowever, as tariffs rise and as the government shut down has been impacting communities. The owner of the coffee shop is trying to create stability within her store. n n“I mean, even before the tariffs coffee had has gone up 85% in the year prior to the tariffs. So now you have the tariffs on the coffee. The prices are going even higher,” said Susan Norris, owner of Just Love Coffee. “And it’s getting to the point now where we used to carry 20 different single origin or blenders and we are down to eight, just because we’re having trouble getting that we have not raised our prices yet in the two years. But it’s getting to the point where something, you know, really has to go.” n nEven though, she may have to give in to the rise of cost but she’s still managing a way to help those in need. n n“She really tries to give back to the community as well. Just recently, because of the government shutdown, she started doing a community meal. If you come in, you can just ask for a community meal and she’ll, you know, feed you if you’re hungry. So, it’s just she just really cares about the community and the people in it,” said Brook Curtiss, a frequent customer to the store. n nNorris says she is always looking for a way to help out her local community and those who step through her door.