Mama Mocha is now serving coffee to The Plains with a double shot of sustainability.
Sarah Barnett opened Mama Mocha's beanery inside the Gnu's Room Saturday. Barnett said being sustainable is important for her as a business owner.
"I buy from brokers and importers that have direct trade, which is above fair trade, with micro-lots," Barnett said. "So, instead of paying a lot of money to be a part of a co-op, they seek out family farms who are trying to make the best product they can and have been doing it for years."
The Gnu's Room, located on South Gay Street next to Amsterdam Cafe, welcomed the new beanery with a day filled with performances by local artists.
One group that sparked particular interest was the Gypsy Blues Bellydance Troupe.
"Seraphina", the instructor for the group, said she was friends with Barnett and the two were supportive of each other.
"It was really nice," Seraphina said. "I was very surprised with how they had everything set up back there. It was a great turn-out and not anything like what we're used to."
One of the passersby said he couldn't help but stop when he saw the group.
"I heard the music and looked in," said Joey Fetyko, senior in criminology. "Who could walk away from bellydancers?"
Barnett's dad, Craig Barnett, said his daughter originally came to Auburn because of a boyfriend.
Before then, he said she was living in an unsafe area of Birmingham.
"We're very happy she's here," Craig said. "Although I think it was a bit of culture shock when she first got here. She said she felt like she was in Mayberry."
Craig also said his daughter had over 200 people RSVP to her Facebook event about the opening.
"I just kept thinking they better not all show up at one time," Craig said. "I don't know where we're all going to park."
Tina Tatum, co-owner and managing partner of the Gnu's Room, said when the decision was made to bring in a roaster, she wanted to bring in someone local.
Tatum said when she found out Barnett wanted to open her own shop it was an opportunity she couldn't pass up.
"We felt like it would be a good fit because we are both small local businesses," Tatum said. "It's going to really educate the public on different coffee and different beans."
The opportunity took five months to come together, according to Craig. He said he and his wife have been helping remodel.
"We live right outside of Gadsden, so it's a two and a half hour drive down and back," Craig said. "We've been working a lot of weekends and this last week or so, we've been working every day because we had an opening date set."
Tatum said she hopes the partnership is permanent, but understands Barnett might eventually have the client base to grow out of her current space.
Barnett said she is just enjoying this time in her life. She said she enjoys living in Auburn and the opening was like a family reunion.
"It is surreal and exhilarating and I'm so happy to be here in Auburn with all these people that I've grown to know and love," Barnett said. "I've been making coffee for so many years now and I get to support so many farmers and get to roast and craft all day in a place that me and my family built, so it's an incredible feeling."
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