Coffee Culture With A Twist
The idea of the Christian coffeehouse owes a spiritual debt to both the beatnik coffee houses of the fifties and sixties, and later the hippie versions that some later grew into. The hippies and beatniks in many areas offered both free shops and for-profit coffee houses with a relaxed atmosphere and a communal "help-your-fellow-man" approach. While the Christian coffee house has a decidedly different approach (the hippies weren’t concerned with being substance free, after all!) the idea of helping your fellow human beings with your purchases is a definite link to the old sixties mindset.
Some coffeehouses are very aware of the profit potential, and use
it to foster goodwill instead of income. These operations are designated as non-profit
organizations; the income generated by coffee and special events gets earmarked
for use in local ministry, community involvement or helping the poor. For those who do wish to make a profit, there is plenty of business precedent for such a highly targeted market. The advent of Rush Limbaugh’s nationally broadcast radio show brought with a host of restaurants advertising their lunchtime ours as designated "Rush Rooms" where the program would be heard daily. For the right businesses, the Rush Room meant an increase in loyalty from conservative customers. Today, the Christians are feeling a similar kind of loyalty with coffee houses designed specifically to support and encourage their values. On Long Island, venues such as Samantha’s Lil Bit of Heaven at 287 Larkfield Road in East Northport, the Acts 2 Coffeehouse at 124 Garfield Place in East Rockaway and the Lamp Post Café at 716 Route 112 in Port Jefferson are just a few of the operations that offer such an environment. A number of these coffeehouses are full-time outfits just like Starbucks or Caribou Coffee; others you may find in the directory are attached to a church or local ministry and only meet at certain times of the week. It’s best to call ahead to make sure, or check the internet for more information on a particular coffeehouse. For the curious-but-hesitant, many Christian coffeehouses advertise themselves as ‘non-judgmental’ places for people to enjoy a smoke-and-substance-free environment. Others are more outspoken about their beliefs, desiring an atmosphere where those who believe in the Christian message can feel free to express their views. No matter which environment you prefer, these Long Island businesses do offer a place where families are very welcome. Teens and children can enjoy a safe environment while parents take a load off with a cup of java. If you are seeking the Long Island Christian coffeehouse experience, try searching for a listing online, or check your Long Island telephone directory to get contact information and operating hours. Joe Wallace
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Long
Island, like so many other places in the United States, has a thriving coffeehouse
culture. In the last decade a different breed of 
The
success of many Christian-orientated businesses comes in part from the belief
that a local community should have a smoke and drug free environment for local
teens and young adults. In conservative circles, there has been a growing demand
for 