07/02/2026
Welcome to A cup a Joe & a Hug to go! What is this group about? Let me share the purpose of, and the reason behind why I created this group. I have always been a coffee lover, and love supporting local coffee shops and visiting them when traveling. I also Love hugs, I mean I really love sharing hugs. So being retired I have some free time on my hands. Our country, state, city & communities are going thru a rough time. I started offering hugs at my restaurants and along with the much loved food, customers really enjoyed sharing a hug. My friend John Bratcher kindly built me two FREE hug stands. One a dark wooden one and one a bright festive rainbow colored one. I happily stand behind either one, wearing a Free Hugs Just Ask T shirt. Between the two I’ve shared thousands of hugs. I often set up a hug stand at festivals, but that left many many hug-less days where I might have missed someone who wants or could really use a hug. Then it hit me! I could combine both my love of coffee & hugs together. I would find a coffee shop to start my journey and see where it goes. So starting tomorrow, Friday July 3rd I will be standing behind my FREE hug stand at Pura Vida Grinds at 3820 E. Main Street Mesa at 8:00am till ?. Hopefully lots of the coffee shop customers will want a hug to go with their cup of Joe. I intend to set up twice a week at Pura Vida at this time. Hopefully other coffee shops will want to collaborate and I can start sharing hugs at several other coffee shops too. If I do extend beyond Pura Vida I will share the place, date & times I’ll be there. I can’t change the chaos & angst in the world, but along with Pura Vida grinds we can bring a wonderful experience to start your day, by grabbing your favorite morning liquid motivation along with a comforting hug! ( if you have a favorite coffee shop that you’d like get a hug along with your favorite coffee, please share this post with them, I would love to get more hug days at more coffee shops)
