By Olivia Jessup | Echo
When Hartford City resident Donald Smith heard that Katie Rich, owner of Common Grounds Coffee Shop, had high heat bills during the winter, he knew he wanted to do something to help.
"They haven't had a lot of heat in there," Smith said. "It was a high efficiency furnace that was costing them nearly $1000. . . the man who owns the building wouldn't pay for it, and she (Katie Rich) didn't have the money for it, so we're trying to help her."
The plan is to hold a benefit for Common Grounds on Sunday, Feb. 23, at Lighthouse Church in Hartford City. All funds raised will be used to make the shop more energy efficient. A variety of local musicians will perform at the benefit, including Taylor accompanist and adjunct professor Luke Tyler.
"LaRea (Slater) emailed me asking if I wanted to do it. . . and I thought that would be a great idea," Tyler said. "I love doing charity type things."
Tyler will be playing two pieces on the piano, an arrangement of "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho" and a Mozart piece.
Helping plan with Smith is LaRea Slater, another local resident and member of the board of the Blackford County Arts Center. Slater has been working with Smith to plan the benefit for the shop, bringing in local musicians to perform while Rich provides the coffee.
The event for Common Grounds benefits more than just the coffee shop, however, according to Slater. Slater noted that the coffee shop is a small business that will encourage other small businesses to develop in the surrounding area. She also said that Common Grounds will be a good meeting place for the community.
"It's a place for people to meet, and it shows a [vitality] for downtown Hartford," Slater said. "The arts and a little restaurant-it's something that's going to revitalize Hartford, I think, if people support it."
Rich said that she is excited to see what the benefit brings.
"I'm very, very grateful," Rich said. "It's in times like this that you see how much people care."
The benefit will be on Sunday, Feb. 23 from 2-4 p.m. at Lighthouse Church in Hartford City. A variety of local musicians will perform. The cost for adults is $8 and $5 for students. For more information, go to the Common Grounds Facebook page or call 765-499-0730 or 765-998-7747. All proceeds go to the coffee shop. In case of snow, the benefit date will be moved to Sunday, March 2.(Thumbnail photo courtesy of Katie Kile Rich)
