Local coffee shop participates in “suspended coffee” program

It’s coffee with a cause. That’s the idea behind a Pocatello coffee shop’s new community initiative.

Main Steam Coffee and Desserts in Old Town, Pocatello started participating in the nation-wide movement “suspended coffee.”

Suspended coffee actually started in Naples, Italy several years back. Then in 2013, John Sweeney started a social media movement and it’s grown nationwide since.

Today, Main Steam Coffee decided to try it locally.

The mission of suspended coffee is to inspire and encourage kindness. It’s like a pay-it-forward movement.

What suspended coffee does is allow people to buy coffee for the homeless, or those in need of a warm drink. When people come in to buy their own coffee, they can buy more cups as “suspended” orders. Those coffees are kept track of in the register. When someone who is homeless or in need comes in, they can ask for a suspended coffee and receive it at no charge to them.

Tom Nestor, co-owner of Main Steam Coffee, said he saw a video on Facebook about suspended coffee and knew he had to bring it to his own coffee shop.

“I think it’s time for us to step back and not be self-centered,” Nestor said. “I think we need to take the time to say hello to somebody, or good morning. And I think by doing this, if we can make one personal feel a little bit better and their day a little happier, that’s why I’m doing it.”

One woman said she absolutely loves the idea and wanted to contribute to the cause.

“I just bought six cups of suspended coffee that I hope somebody’s going to be able to drink within the next few days and enjoy a nice hot cup of coffee on these cold, cold mornings,” said Linda Reichardt. “I think it’s a brilliant idea. Whoever came up with it, brilliant idea.”

A regular cup of coffee costs $1.50 so even just contributing a couple dollars can help a person in need.

Nestor said he will definitely continue doing this program as long as there’s cold weather. He said he may even continue doing it after, he’ll wait and see how it goes.

More information about the suspended coffee movement can be found here on its website.

Main Steam has been open about a month. It offers coffees, teas, hot chocolate, Italian sodas and a variety of homemade old-fashioned treats. It’s located at 234 North Main in Old Town. Information on its hours can be found on its Facebook page.