Becoming Calamity’s
Our About Us page explains the premise of Calamity’s, but as with all businesses, there is so much more behind the name.
As Doris Day trumpeted of the Windy City and secret loves, I danced in my grandparent’s living room with ideas of being on the frontier. I would be just like Doris Day and ride on horses while singing sweetly and winning the man I loved. It would be epic. Later, I was certain Bette Midler would adopt me and we’d be a sensation on Broadway. As I got older, I accepted that I couldn’t carry a tune and that I couldn’t go camping for more than a night much less live as rover. Still, the dreamer never went away. She matured.
Calamity’s has been a dream of mine for decades, but owning a business seemed ludicrous. My journey led me to veterinary medicine and I was quite certain I would maintain a professional career as a veterinary receptionist until retirement. The joy I derived from that position is indescribable. I always said that veterinary medicine restored my faith in humanity. As a receptionist, I made relationships with people who were polar opposite in politics, had backgrounds I couldn’t relate to, and had world views I opposed. But none of our differences mattered. We created a bond because we both genuinely cared for the health and well-being of creatures that relied on us. It was without question, a gift to be a receptionist in vet med.
The first practice I worked at was owned by a husband-and-wife team who understood that most staff need more than a paycheck. They encouraged us to follow our passions and helped reunite me with my love for business. I became their marketing assistant. Obsessed with ROIs, Google analytics and creating a unique website, I began to understand veterinary medicine on a much grander scale. As time went on, I found myself in management at another practice. I had, without question, one of the best teams a newbie manager could ask for; they were patient with me but expected me to grow (it was a mutual expectation). Time progressed and I was given the opportunity to join a newly established practice. Having worked for two very well-established businesses, I jumped at the chance. The role was reception and I got to work closely with clients and patients again. We had a doctor that provided mobile euthanasia services and (what I thought was) my true calling came to light. I wanted to work with grieving pet parents. To me, there is no greater gift than being trusted to sit in a space with someone when they say their last “goodbye.” It is humbling and I will always be grateful to clients that shared those precious moments with me.
I opted to move to Tennessee and get an MSW with an emphasis on veterinary medicine. I would work with grieving clients and start my own business. I would get a part time job that had no mental stress attached and save up until school started. The problem, I realized after moving, is that I’m not well suited for folks who have lost their pets. My strength is in going through the highs and lows with them. A tough decision had to be made: do I go to school and hope for the best? Do I go back to vet med as a receptionist?
And then Doris Day’s sugary sweet smile reminded me of my love of coffee. Calamity’s. A coffee shop. A homage to the love my grandparents shared with each other and their family. A tribute to the idea that when you do what you truly love, anything is possible. Oak Ridge is lacking in coffee. We have a great privately owned shop (Buds Farmhouse Coffee), THE corporate coffee giant, and an extremely popular corporate donut shop that also happens to have coffee. But with a population of just under 30k, there isn’t nearly enough coffee.
The part time job I found was as a dishwasher at 201 Cafe & Wine Bar. A new restaurant in Oak Ridge, the owners were happy to accept help from staff members with expertise. I was reacquainted with the person who was passionate about business. My marketing wheels started turning and memories of wanting to open a coffee shop were ceaseless. The decision was made. The choice to leave veterinary medicine was a hard one and I confess that I deeply miss seeing new pet parents, working with medical professionals to save lives, and supporting someone when their pet takes its last breath. But, I genuinely believe coffee has an odd ability to bring people together.
As we find ourselves tackling unprecedented challenges, I believe we need something that makes us smile. That is why Calamity’s is a business focused on intention. Calamity’s is about good drinks, of course, but it is so much more. Calamity’s is a celebration of community, a vehicle for helping other businesses succeed, and an opportunity for people to be reminded of how exceptional customer service should feel. Every drink is made with the customer in mind…well, almost every drink (the cinnamon dolce sprinkles will forever remain on the menu, they aren’t the most popular topping, but they’re my favorite). When you order a drink from Calamity’s, we don’t roll our eyes when you say you want extra, extra, extra caramel or ask why we don’t offer something you want. You worked hard for your money, and we want to provide you with something rewarding. As a very small business (as of this blog, we’re only serving coffee two hours a week), we can’t offer 20 syrups and 10 milk options, but we will listen and Calamity’s will grow based on customer feedback. (Update: Oak Ridge, you made it clear that milk options matter. We now offer oat, almond and vanilla hemp milk).
Beyond learning the power animals have over humans, veterinary medicine taught me that inspiration resides in unexpected places. I saw kennel staff working tirelessly to keep pets happy when they couldn’t be at home, receptionists skip lunch so they could answer phones, and medical staff stay well past close to save lives. Calamity’s understands that people need to feel appreciated. That is why a key component to our business model is recognizing the overlooked leaders in our community. We are also excited to work with local nonprofits to help raise awareness of key issues impacting Oak Ridge.
Calamity’s is not just a coffee shop; we are a philosophy. Thanks to 201 Cafe, we are getting an early start and will be selling brewed coffee, frothed coffee, and chai on Saturdays from 8-10am. We hope to have a full-scale espresso cart in October/November (located in Through the Looking Glass) so we can serve the best espresso drinks in Oak Ridge. Regardless of location, our business is centered around providing customers with fantastic beverages so we can promote the leaders and businesses of our community. When you buy from us, you are supporting the idea that when we work together, we all succeed.
We look forward to sharing our journey and thank you for your support!