The Most Patriotic Coffee Shop in the United States

Richard's Coffee Shop (Photo: Zimbro Photography)

In Mooresville, North Carolina, you will find a hidden treasure filled with love and honor.
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Years ago, an Army veteran named Richard Warren opened a tiny shop called “Pat’s Gourmet Coffee”, named after his wife. It developed into becoming not just a coffee shop, but a living history museum.

Part of the museum at the coffee shop (Photo: Zimbro Photography)

Richard was a Vietnam combat pilot who flew a Huey attack helicopter (or “gunship”) with the callsign “Mustang 53”.  He spent the last 14 years of his life honoring his fellow veterans until he passed away in 2009 of complications from exposure to Agent Orange.  Just months before his death, he started forming a non-profit organization named “Welcome Home Veterans”, which oversees and keeps Richard's dream alive of recognizing, serving, supporting and honoring those who gave so much.

And so, “Richard’s Coffee Shop” officially opened on July 4th, 2009 just down the street from the original site of Pat’s Coffee Shop… dedicated to honoring memories and offering support to all veterans.

Tribute to Richard Warren at Richard's Coffee Shop (Photo: Zimbro Photography)

Though I never got to personally meet Richard, I feel like I know him as his legacy lives on in this incredible lively place! Respect, honor, duty and love of country is abundant in the hundreds of veterans who come to the coffee shop every single day. The history and stories that pass through those four walls is out of this world. There is now an amazing military museum with priceless artifacts from the veterans that visit the shop of all time periods, and many veterans still gather on a daily basis to share memories and stories with each other and the community. All veterans sign the “Book of Honor” the first time they visit the coffee shop which now carries the names of around 9,000 veterans from all over the WORLD! After they sign, each veteran is formally presented a two-row, beaded keychain that represents the American Flag, which they served, and either the branch of service or conflict they served in. 

During a Letters From Home performance at Richard's (Photo: Zimbro Photography)

For the past several years, the folks at Richard’s have become a second family to Letters From Home. We try to perform there at least once a year, and every time it’s like a family reunion filled with laughter, tears and patriotism! Richard’s Coffee and Welcome Home Veterans supports our mission as Letters From Home so much, and this year, we proudly sport their decals on our tour trailer all over the country. 

The decal for Welcome Home Veterans proudly sits on the Letters From Home tour trailer.

If you’re ever in Mooresville, be sure to stop by this magical place. You can visit their website at www.welcomehomeveteran.org. For veterans and patriot’s alike… there’s truly no place like it. 
–Erinn :) xoxox

Veterans and friends at Richard's (Photo: Zimbro Photography)