Wow, the Grand Opening of our new FiDi cafe was everything we’d hoped it would be! People showed up for us. Thank you so much!
Some highlights:
• Friends who came and ran into people they knew but didn’t know were also connected to Ritual!
• Getting a Certificate of Honor from District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter, signed by all of the Board of Supervisors. (Just as I was reading the message on it, “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey started playing and I got so teary, because the message actually gets at what we’re trying to do at Ritual!)
• Seeing Ritual superfans who are regulars at other cafes make a trip to the FiDi to celebrate with us on Day 1.
• Seeing old friends: shout out to Bertha, Linda, Andrea, Lance, Devorah, and Katy who were my co-workers when this cafe was Torrefazione Italia.
• Former Ritual employees having coffee together! Gorgeous flowers by former Ritual employee Bean.
• Connecting food industry people with one another: Cinderella Bakery, Pasta Supply Co, Saltwater Bakeshop, Small Batch Jam Co, to name a few.
• How when I’d welcome people in and tell them that it was our Grand Opening, the excited and slightly wild look in people’s eyes, and how they’d say, “We know!!”
• The Mayor came and so many people excitedly clamored for selfies with him….
… And of course, the incredible work my team did to get to this day—the planning, training, hiring, operations, and so much more. I’m so deeply grateful to everyone on my team, because each and every person had a part in this. (See the last pic in our slideshow!) We have an amazing crew at this cafe. Please pop down there, get a coffee, and say hi for yourself!
CEO & Founder,
Eileen Rinaldi
