“You can’t just be in business. You have to have a why. My why is we are giving back to the community and helping rebuild St. Paul.” -Housed Army Veteran and Small Business Owner Gerry Exom

On paper, Trinity House Coffee is a Veteran-owned small business serving premium Organic African coffee. But after meeting the owner Gerry Exom and his best customer, Ms. Eileen, you will know this coffee shop is a special place to be.

Ms. Eileen lives nearby and loves visiting the coffee shop daily; she shared, “It’s great to go and meet different people. This place filled an empty void in this building.” Trinity House Coffee opened this location in January 2023 in the Wells Fargo Place Skyway in downtown St. Paul. The coffee is delicious, and they also serve a variety of fresh-baked pastries.

“Best part of my job is building a community with the customers.” -Housed Army Veteran and Small Business Owner Gerry Exom

Coffee shops can create a sense of belonging and connectedness in a disconnected world by offering a place for people to gather. That is the goal of Trinity House Coffee. Also, each cup of coffee supports the African village where the coffee is imported from. Trinity House Coffee has become a popular destination for people to gather, relax and socialize. More than just a place to grab a cup of coffee, Trinity House Coffee provides a comfortable and welcoming ambiance that encourages people to connect and share stories, ideas, and moments. Regular customers often become friends like Ms. Eileen, and it is not uncommon to see people spend hours conversing or working on their laptops.

Gerry, the owner, is a disabled Veteran who MACV helped rebuild his life. Gerry shared, “MACV gave me tremendous freedom. They really understand the struggles of Veterans in our community.” MACV worked with Gerry to help him find a permanent affordable place to call home.

“I am so grateful to MACV, Visit St. Paul, Neighborhood Development Center, St. Paul Downtown Alliance, and KTIS for supporting me and giving me the tools I needed to make my dream a reality.”-Housed Army Veteran and Small Business Owner Gerry Exom

Gerry is proud of his coffee shop and hopes more people will come to support it. If you would like to financially support them click here. By visiting Trinity House Coffee, you can directly impact the lives of a disabled Army Veteran, the St. Paul community, and a small village in Africa. So next time you’re in the mood for a cup of coffee, consider supporting Trinity House Coffee.