09/04/2026
Behind every cup is a whole lot more than coffee. ☕️
This picture makes me smile because it represents something I’m incredibly proud of: our team.
People see a drive-thru window. They order a latte, hand over their card, and a few minutes later—there’s their beverage. But what happens between those two moments is a LOT.
A latte sounds simple, right? Espresso. Milk. Done.
Except… mind blowing FACT- there are nearly 200 MILLION possible ways to customize a latte when you start factoring in things like size, espresso shots, milk, flavors, temperature, ice, sweetness, foam and other modifications.
And our baristas aren’t pushing a button on an automated machine. They are listening to your order, remembering it, entering it correctly, pulling fresh espresso, measuring ingredients, steaming or preparing milk, adding flavors and toppings, making substitutions, watching temperatures, sequencing multiple drinks, checking the finished product—and somehow keeping track of the next 12 drinks coming behind it.
All while smiling at you through the window.
And then they do it again. And again. And again.
All of our drinks are fresh, made to order and customized to the person in front of us. There are no pre-dosed cups or machines doing the thinking for them. There is a real person behind every drink, using skill, memory, timing, precision and a whole lot of brainpower.
When that window closes? They’re not finished serving you. They’re turning around and becoming the bartender, the cook, the cashier, the dishwasher, the cleaner, the problem-solver and the next customer’s barista—all at the same time.
That is why I have so much respect for the people behind our windows.
Being a barista is HARD. It’s more skill than anyone understands.
It’s fast-paced, physical, mentally demanding, customer-facing work. And the hospitality industry consistently ranks among the most stressful areas of employment.
So today I just want to say:
I SEE YOU, TEAM.
I see the hundreds of tiny decisions you make every shift. I see the care you put into making someone’s drink exactly the way they like it. I see you remembering the regular’s order. I see you fixing a drink without making someone feel bad about it. I see you juggling a line of cars while still treating the person at the window like they’re the only customer you have.
And I see the pride you take in what you make. I see the kindness you give to EVERY SINGLE CUSTOMER.
I’m incredibly grateful for every single one of you.
And to our customers— a little note on tipping. Nobody owes anyone a tip. But if your barista makes your morning a little better, remembers your drink, handles your complicated order with a smile, or somehow turns your “I don’t really know what I want, but I want it sweet, not too sweet, iced but not too cold, with oat milk…” into an actual beverage…
a little tip is a pretty darn nice way to say, “I appreciate you.”
Because behind that cup is a person.
And around here, we’re pretty proud of our people. ❤️
— The Ruby
