Not-for-profit coffeehouse takes java to a higher level

Higher Grounds Coffee House isn't any old Starbucks.

Upon entering, your nose is met with the usual scents of mocha and cinnamon. But this coffee house is different enough to give Starbucks reason to worry.

Located on the corner of Millersport Highway and Sheridan Drive, it was founded by Rev. Tracy McNitt and his wife Rev. Julie McNitt, both pastors of Heart of the Father Church, to bring members of the Buffalo community together.

Oh, and it is non-profit.

"I had a vision to bless the community and do something outside the box," said Tracy.

For many UB students it is a common stop for a bite to eat, a hot latte or a place to study and hang out among the numerous comfy chairs and tables. With wireless Internet and a spacious setting, it is also an ideal place for study groups.

"When you think about it, churches are not used often by the community, even big churches are empty and not in use a larger percent of the time," Tracy said. "Higher Grounds Coffee House provides community members with 12 to 14 hours a day to use the space."

Julie McNitt, director of Higher Grounds Coffee House, said the business wasn't opened with piles of green bills in mind.

"The whole purpose of Higher Grounds Coffee House is to provide the community with an opportunity to come together under one roof," she said. "People from all different walks of life use the facility."

Higher Grounds opened its doors Aug. 10, 1999 with money collected through donations and with the help of church members who offered such services as carpeting, electrical work and dry walling. All of the workers are volunteers.

After the bills are paid, the remainder of the profit is donated to local charities, such as the Make a Wish Foundation, The City Mission and Toys for Tots, as well as a missionary orphanage stationed in Mozambique, Africa.

Jerry Stefanski, a former pastor at an inner city missionary church in Buffalo, said volunteering at Higher Grounds has been time well spent.

"I like volunteering here because I enjoy the interaction with different kinds of people. It is very interpersonal here-people come in sometimes with troubles and needs or sometimes just to talk or pray together," said Stefanski, who is Julie McNitt's father.

"We emphasize on people, not business," said Eva Lawicki, a volunteer at Higher Grounds since its inception. "We know people by name and make friends with people. Customers know we care about them and that we are here for them."

More importantly, the bonds formed between customers and the volunteer staff tends to last longer than it takes to drink a cup of coffee.

"People move away and come back to visit us, almost like family would. Even students (who) move back home and are in Buffalo visiting will come in and see how we are doing," Lawicki said.

The drinks Higher Grounds serves were created by Lawicki and Julie McNitt, and they are unique from anything found at a corporate sponsored coffeehouse.

"Some of our most popular drinks are Turtle Sundae, Milky Way, White Tiger, Reese's hot cocoa and our seasonal special, caramel apple steamer," Lawicki said.

Aside from great food and a friendly staff, Higher Grounds boasts live music every Friday and Saturday night, and an open mic on Sundays. Performers utilize the cafe's stage and full sound system.

Higher Grounds also occasionally hosts gallery nights, displaying the artwork of local artists.

"Artists are welcome to contact us if they are interested in having their work shown in our upcoming gallery night," Julie said.