Help Mt. Airy Coffee Co. Power Up for the Community ☕⚡

Hi friends,

In 2024, I launched Mt. Airy Coffee Co. as a passion project—driven by a dream to create a warm, welcoming space where neighbors could gather, connect, and enjoy great coffee and food. With limited personal resources but a deep commitment to community and entrepreneurship, we opened our doors at 7101 Emlen Street in West Mt. Airy and were met with incredible support from the neighborhood.

From the beginning, startup costs were greater than anticipated, but thanks to sweat equity and your enthusiasm, Mt. Airy Coffee Co. found its footing. As we grew, our menu expanded, and with it, a loyal customer base. Then last summer we hit an unexpected and costly setback.

⚡ The Electrical Challenge

As part of our growth, we purchased a new oven to offer breakfast sandwiches and eventually expand to do more in-house baked goods. But we quickly discovered that the building’s electrical capacity couldn’t support the upgrade. The oven had to be shut down, and we spent months diagnosing the issue with electrical engineers and electricians, and our sales dropped significantly without the expanded menu.

We’ve since installed a smaller oven as a stopgap, but it slows service and limits our ability to grow. The real solution—a full electrical upgrade to the building—is still ahead of us. This upgrade will support the kitchen expansion we want and need for the long-term viability of Mt. Airy Coffee Co.

Why We Need Your Help

The total cost of this electrical repair, including funds already invested, is estimated at $12,000. This includes:

An emergency electrical fix for this summer’s power outage

Diagnostic work by electrical engineers

Purchase of a smaller, stopgap oven

Labor and materials for electricians and our electrical supplier, PECO to complete the full upgrade

As a small business in its first year and a half, this kind of unexpected expense is simply not sustainable without community support. We’ve stretched every resource we have, and now we’re asking for your help to get through this fragile period.

What Your Support Means

Your donation will help us:

Complete the critical electrical upgrade

Restore and expand our breakfast menu

Improve service speed and consistency

Rebuild our customer base and momentum

We know this is a challenging time for many, and we deeply appreciate any support you can offer. Whether it’s a donation, sharing this fundraising project, or simply stopping by for a cup of coffee, you’re helping us continue our mission to serve and uplift the Mt Airy community. Your gift, no matter the size, will make a real difference.

Thank you for believing in us—and for being part of our story.

With gratitude,

Christopher M. Petersen

Founder, Mt. Airy Coffee Co.