It is so important to remember the vibrant community culture that pulses through Fort Collins via our small businesses. The small businesses in our town are so much more than a means to an end for the people who own them, work at them, and utilize their services - they are a shining example of the life force of our community. Mugs has been a corner staple of the Fort Collins cafe scene since 2002, and they literally embody local culture in their motto, “Community Through Coffee.”
Mugs was originally founded in 2002 by McCabe Callahan through the desire to do something innovative in Fort Collins. Today, Mugs has two locations, the original on College in Old Town, and Mugs @ The Oval on Laurel. Marli Callahan, McCabe’s wife, now manages the operations at both locations alongside McCabe.
McCabe and Marli, both longtime Fort Collins residents, place great emphasis on fostering community through their business. Not only have they both been part of several local community organizations and groups over the years, but fostering and enhancing a sense of community in Fort Collins is the main goal of their business - great coffee comes second.
They have had the unique opportunity to nourish our community for over 17 years, remaining a steady constant throughout all the growth and change our town has seen during that time. They have steadfastly and enthusiastically served an evolving Fort Collins community for nearly two decades, adapting along the way as trends, innovations, and local culture brought growth and development.
To Marli and McCabe, community is the result of social capital invested through meaningful and authentic exchanges between people. Community Through Coffee is their slogan because coffee has been the centerpiece that we can all unite around. The interactions witnessed at Mugs even led McCabe to start another local business, Community Funded, which is an online and mobile funding platform that empowers organizations to connect their donors to stories that inspire engagement, advocacy, and retention.
The staff at Mugs is filled with many longtime employees, another testament to Marli and McCabe’s dedication to fostering community through coffee. When you step inside Mugs, you are stepping inside so much more than a cafe. You are visiting the home of the Mugs family, the birthplace of great ideas and meaningful connections, and a space where you can feel truly welcome.
When asked why community is such a big part of Mugs’ culture and motto, Marli and McCabe said that “When you prioritize the community and listen, you hear all you need to hear to have a successful business. Every Mugs that has ever existed was a result of a “barn-raising” by our community all contributing their areas of expertise. Community isn’t just a big part of our culture and motto, it is our entire culture and motto.”
Mugs has focused on serving great coffee by good people, all while appreciating the value of people gathering together. Like many other businesses in Fort Collins, Now more than ever, it is absolutely crucial to recognize the significance and true value of gathering places in our community like Mugs.
Mugs isn’t just a business - it is an entire family of people living and working in our community. During these difficult times, it is so important to remember all the times that local businesses like Mugs were there for you when you needed them. Now is the time to give back to the cornerstones of our community in any way that you can!