Two giant flags — a Black Lives Matter flag and a rainbow pride flag — hang within a small coffee shop in Atlanta’s West End area. They are here to strongly signal the modest shop’s big aspirations for equity and inclusiveness.
Finca to Filter is the shop’s name, which was newly opened by a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Kayla Bellman, who leads a small but highly diverse staff of five members.
According to Bellman, she spent much of her life hiding who she was from herself and other people. However, she continued saying that she wanted to establish an empowering environment for her employees to know that they are tolerated and valued. In fact, the coffee shop’s flags have gotten many positive comments from neighbors, stating that they do not only represent a piece of fabric but a statement about what the area will and can provide.
Finca to Filter, whose name is derived from the word “farm” in Spanish, has ambitious goals beyond its four walls. Namely, it begins with sourcing quality coffees from Georgia-based and progressive local roasters for a multi-roaster coffee shop concept. Interestingly, coffees from eight Atlanta-based roasters have made their way to Finca to Filter’s bar, including Ébrīk Coffee Roasters, Portrait Coffee, Verb. Coffee, Firelight Coffee, and Radio Roasters.
According to Bellman, the team believes that the coffee business in Atlanta is booming and that the different faces that make the coffee sector great will be showcased and represented across their platform.
Bellman also stated that the coffee shop would promote inclusion, diversity, and transparency via its coffee partnerships. One roaster, Bellman remembers, inquired how they could improve gender equity. Her response was to be critical.
Finca to Filter began operations in November of 2020, collaborating with local roasters to offer farmers markets, pop-up bars, and online coffee subscriptions. The physical shop launched in March, with a big opening in May that included pastry pop-ups and drag bingo.
If you’re in Atlanta, check out this unique coffee shop. In the meantime, get a hold of your favorite premium espresso machine and enjoy some homemade brew.
