MONROE — When Payne’s Family CoffeeHaus & Odditeas discovered that the pride flag outside of the shop had been stolen on Nov. 12, they responded in a “lighthearted way.”
The shop, located just off the Square in downtown Monroe (921 15th Ave), shared a post on its Facebook page the day after, writing, “We were disappointed to discover that our pride flag was missing Tuesday morning. We can only surmise that the perpetrator sought one for personal use and was unaware of procurement options. Consequently, beginning Thursday, we will maintain a stock of flags available for purchase to the public to prevent future incidents.”
While they took it in stride, the shop wasn’t the only location in town affected. Chris Vestin, one of the shop’s owners, said pride flags and memorabilia were also stolen from several other locations.
“The next morning, when we realized that it had been taken, we sent out a post and we received a lot of positive feedback,” said Vestin. “We also got some private messages offering additional support. One person said that they had an extra pride flag that they could bring for us to put up, and another person offered to donate to a charity.”
On Nov. 13 — the same day the shop had posted about the stolen pride flag — they shared a second Facebook post. This time, the message was a happy one.
“We have been blown away by you. Both by the words and messages of support and encouragement, as well as the more tangible donation of a flag, a donation to [The] Trevor Project in our name, and a cash donation,” the post shared.
The CoffeeHaus opened its current location in April 2024. Vestin said the community support was heartwarming.
“It makes us feel that we’re doing something right,” he said, “and that we’re maybe reaching a part of the population that needs to be reached.”
The pride flag is more than just fabric — for many, including some of Vestin’s family members, the flag is an emblem of acceptance and an example of just how powerful it can be to visually display that symbol.
“It’s a group that is often looked poorly upon and is sometimes attacked, so I think it’s important to try and offer both exposure and also a safe place,” he said.
The CoffeeHaus prides itself as a community space, operated for — and sustained by — the community. The shop offers food, coffee and bakery items, and “almost everything that we do is made locally,” said Vestin. “We’ve been super pleased so far.”
On Saturday, Nov. 23, the CoffeeHaus hosted a Friendsgiving Potluck, supplying turkey and ham while inviting community members to bring a dish to pass. Vestin said it was another way they can give back to their neighbors.
“It’s about being available to the community, to be a service to the community as a whole, not just as a business,” he said. “It’s just an opportunity to serve the community in a positive fashion and to bring people together.”
