By Katie Chatham
To coffee drinkers, the barista in the superhero getup known as an apron can seem like she has magical powers. But who is the regular human who hands over that much-needed cappuccino or non-fat skinny vanilla something-or other? And why has she pursued this calling, taking orders and frothing drinks day in and day out?
In a recent interview, Richelle Davis, barista (aka hero) at Prescott’s The Porch coffee shop talked about just what it is she loves about her job.
Richelle started working in the coffee industry at the age of 18. She had absolutely zero experience with customer service.
“All I knew about coffee was how yummy a caramel Frappuccino was,” she said. Now, ten years later, she said becoming a barista was the best decision she ever made.
“Hands down, I love meeting the people,” she said. “Whether they are long-time customers or visiting for the first time, I want to know their story and I enjoy getting to know them on a personal level.”
Richelle said her heart feels at home when she’s working as a barista, mostly because it has brought her out of her shell tremendously.
“My entire life, I have been shy, quiet, and introverted, which I still am,” she said. “But working in coffee and customer service, I have grown and matured so incredibly much.”
Richelle has been working as a barista at The Porch since it opened in September 2017. Her husband was doing electrical work for The Porch and mentioned to the owners that the Davises had just moved to town.
“They needed a barista and I needed a job, and the rest is history!” Richelle said, adding that she loves being a part of something new.
Richelle says she’s enjoyed being part of The Porch’s growth; it is exciting to see so many ideas and different coffee backgrounds come together to create something fresh.
“Some days I feel like I’ve run a marathon when I’m done with work,” she said, explaining that in addition to pouring coffee into a cup, baristas chop bananas, prepare cold brew, wash the never-ending dishes, make delicious crepes, scones and quiche, run back and forth to the storage room numerous times a day, and build relationships with their fabulous customers.
But, that is not all that makes Richelle the hero that hands over that morning pick-me-up. She does her own thing, too. On her days off, she can be found drinking coffee, because, she said, “I actually rarely drink coffee while working.”
She is also taking bookkeeping classes, which keeps her busy. She loves spending time in her garden, going to sporting events (“go Warriors!”), being outside, and watching reruns of “New Girl” or “The Office” with her husband.
Behind Richelle’s superhero-barista suit is an amazing person who loves getting to know the people around her; and she has found a way to do that with a job she absolutely loves.