A Place Where Everyone Belongs
At Reading Coffee Company, Pride Month gives us an opportunity to publicly reaffirm something we've believed since day one:
Everyone is welcome here.
Gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, non-binary, queer, questioning, asexual, allies, and every person who identifies in the way that feels most authentic to them: you belong here.
In today's world, it can seem like every topic gets pulled into politics. We believe basic humanity doesn't have to be political. Treating people with dignity, kindness, and respect isn't a political statement. It's simply the right thing to do.
As a company, we employ all, serve all, and welcome all. We believe that every person deserves a place where they can feel comfortable being themselves, whether they're stopping in for a morning coffee, meeting friends, attending an event, or simply looking for a place to belong.
While Reading Coffee Company is half gay-owned, that's never been something we've felt needed to define who we are. It's simply one part of our story. What matters more is the culture we've worked to build — a culture where people are accepted for who they are and treated with the same warmth and hospitality we strive to show every guest.
Pride Month exists because, for many people, that sense of acceptance has not always been guaranteed. It's a month set aside for businesses, organizations, and communities to let people know they are seen, valued, and supported. We respect that purpose and are proud to stand with those who have historically felt marginalized or excluded.
The truth is, though, we don't believe acceptance should be limited to a single month on the calendar.
We try to live it every day.
One of my favorite memories comes from the eve of the soft opening of our first café in Birdsboro.
A group from the local theater community — actors, stage crew, production staff, and friends — stopped by. They were excited, energized, and overjoyed to have a place where they could gather, spend time together, and simply exist as themselves. They came from different backgrounds, different walks of life, and different identities, but they shared something important: they were looking for community.
As I watched them fill the space, laughing and talking about productions, life, and everything in between, I realized we had made the right decision. We hadn't just opened a coffee shop. We had created a place where people could connect, feel comfortable, and know they belonged.
That feeling has stayed with me ever since.
For us, that's what Pride is really about. It's about belonging. It's about creating spaces where people feel welcome without conditions, qualifiers, or hesitation.
It is also important to be clear about something.
Reading Coffee Company welcomes people from every background, identity, belief system, and walk of life. That includes members of the LGBTQ+ community, people of faith, veterans, families, retirees, young professionals, artists, tradespeople, and everyone in between.
Supporting one group does not require diminishing another.
Flying a Pride flag does not lessen our love for our country. Celebrating Pride Month does not conflict with faith, family, service, or patriotism. Our community is filled with people who hold different beliefs, experiences, and perspectives, and we believe there is room for all of them at the same table.
In fact, some of our most loyal customers, employees, friends, and supporters are people of deep faith. Many are veterans. Many are active in their churches and civic organizations. They continue to support us because they understand that extending kindness and dignity to others does not require abandoning their own beliefs. Compassion and conviction can coexist.
What we will not make room for is hatred, harassment, or the idea that any person is somehow less deserving of dignity, respect, or belonging because of who they are.
We know not everyone will agree with every decision we make as a business. That's okay. Healthy disagreement is part of living in a diverse community. But kindness, respect, and basic human decency are not negotiable.
Our mission has never been to divide people. It has always been to bring them together over a cup of coffee, a conversation, and a shared sense of community.
Whether you've been with us since the beginning or you're visiting for the very first time, know this:
You are welcome here.
You always have been.
And you always will be.
Frank Orman
President & CEO
Reading Coffee Company