Allegro Coffee Company has teamed up with Prodigy Coffeehouse to bring a new coffee shop focused on social impact to Northeast Denver at 3801 E 40th Avenue.
Prodigy will have an apprenticeship program with mentor Jeffrey Knott. Creative young adults ages 16-24 will have the chance to master a craft through this program.
“At Prodigy, latent talents become powerful assets as Denver grows into a healthy, vibrant, equitable city,” Prodigy said in a press release.
They are invited to work and learn as apprentices, developing professional skills. The business apprenticeship is a year-long effort to encourage social mobility and encourage Denver’s youth to become community assets. Ten people are hired and the others will enroll in a barista training program and career support.
“I’m super excited to be part of an organization that combines two things that I’ve spent much of my personal and professional life dedicated to—youth and social enterprise,” Julie Voyle, Prodigy Coffeehouse Board Chair said. “Through my service, I will help create a place where young people can be part of a positive community that believes in their skills and talents and generates revenue through the coffee business. The two do not need to be mutually exclusive!”
Allegro has been in the industry since 1977 and was one of the first certified organic roasteries and will run operations, business and sales in the coffeehouse. Allegro will also donate $10,000 every year for three years to support Prodigy.
Denver-based Allegro Coffee Company has been an industry leader in equitable and direct coffee sourcing for the last 30 years, traveling the globe in search of the best coffee and tea, and will continue to foster connection on a local community level through a partnership with Prodigy Coffeehouse.
“One of Allegro Coffee Company’s core values is giving a portion of our net sales to support our global and local coffee communities,” Tara Cross, Marketing Director at Allegro Coffee Company and Prodigy Coffeehouse Board Member said. “We’re thrilled to be partnering locally with Prodigy Coffeehouse, helping them to achieve their mission of supporting Denver youth and social enterprise through the lens of coffee.”
Prodigy will open July 30 at 3801 E 40th, celebrating their grand opening from noon to 4 p.m. and will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday until August, when it will be open daily.
“This is a destination for anyone who wants to see the next generation of craftsman, preserving the weathered tin and wood of their homeland by building it into a nest softened by the light and color of their new city,” Steph Frances, Founder of Prodigy Coffeehouse said.
