Vandalism Strikes Downtown Lexington Coffee Shop

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The peaceful morning routine of coffee lovers in downtown Lexington hit a snag recently when one local coffee shop became the target of vandalism yet again. A Cup of Common Wealth, a beloved spot known for its cozy environment and delicious brews, woke up to a messy scene on Sunday, September 8.

As the sun began to rise, shop manager Emma Bryant received an alarming notification around 3 a.m. that their alarm system had been triggered. Rushing to the shop, she discovered what had happened: a shattered window left in ruins thanks to some rocks that were thrown inside. “We found several rocks inside that were used to break the window,” she said, holding back her frustration.

“It’s definitely a bummer,” Bryant continued. “This window has been broken several times in the past. It would be nice to have all of our windows stay intact.” Even though they’ve been through this song and dance before, this time felt a tad less severe. “Luckily, this time, it was just one window instead of multiple. Obviously, not an ideal situation, but it could have been a lot worse.” Fortunately, nothing was stolen or tampered with during this incident; it seems the vandal was more interested in causing damage than in any sort of robbery.

The particular window that suffered the brunt of the vandalism is located right at the bustling intersection of East Main Street and Eastern Avenue, a spot that sees a lot of foot traffic. “Spending money on replacing glass isn’t exactly how we’d like to manage our resources,” Bryant remarked. “We’re a small business, and we would prefer not to keep pouring cash into fixing things that shouldn’t have been broken in the first place.”

In the face of this nuisance, the team at A Cup of Common Wealth decided to not only repair the window but also add a touch of humor to the situation. Bryant shared that they plan to put up an unofficial ‘historical site’ marker next to the broken window. “We wanted to take a little bit of silliness and add it to the situation to add some levity,” she said with a chuckle. “I mean, why not try to make the best out of it?”

Despite the damage, the shop remains open for business. While a makeshift barrier of caution tape and wood palettes surrounds the broken window, the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee continues to waft through the air, enticing customers to step inside. “We’re still here. Maybe we’re drawing a little more attention than usual on a Sunday morning,” Bryant said with a smile, sharing how the community has rallied even more around them.

Local authorities responded swiftly to the scene, and following their investigations, they arrested a suspect tied to the vandalism. Devona Mitchell, 47 years old, was charged with criminal mischief in the first degree. “It’s always sad to see this kind of behavior in our community,” Bryant commented, appreciating the police’s prompt action.

As the community came together to support the coffee shop, it’s clear that A Cup of Common Wealth holds a special place in the hearts of many. Patrons are rallying behind them, offering words of encouragement and plenty of cups of coffee to fuel the repair efforts.

“We’ve faced our share of challenges, but we’ve got an amazing community that supports us through thick and thin,” said Bryant. “We want to show that we’re tough and can withstand anything, even window-breaking vandals!” Their resilience through not-so-great circumstances is refreshing, and patrons continue to support them because after all, these things don’t really break the spirit of a coffee shop that thrives on community.

For those who wish to support this local staple, visiting A Cup of Common Wealth is one fantastic way to do so. With the cheerful ambiance and a mission to serve great coffee, it looks like they’ll thrive despite the bumps along the way.

As repairs are made and window glares are covered up for now, we can only hope the future holds fewer surprises and more smiles for this beloved Lexington treasure.