Common Ground is a place and an idea. It started in the minds of Laurie Pearman and Sarah Keck, and manifested physically in a quiet little corner of Boise, Idaho. In a world where so much focus lands on our differences as humans, we wanted to create a vibrant, safe, weird, and rad gathering space where folks of all different walks could come and be together. Simultaneously, we wanted to have a place to meet up with friends, family and neighbs over coffee in our own 'hood in the West Bench area that wasn't a driveway or living room. But really, to fully understand just how deep the community of Common Ground goes, we have to go back a few years...

Unbeknownst to them (until recently), Sarah and Laurie were both born in Bakersfield, California and lived only seven miles from each other there for the first few years of their lives. Their families of origin then both moved to Caldwell, Idaho in 1993 and they each started attending elementary school in the same building. Throughout their formative years, they both worked in the food and beverage industry in a plethora of environments- including coffee, where they fell in love with the culture of warmth and welcoming, as well as the intricacies of the world of espresso. Fast forward to 2019-- Sarah and Laurie, with families and children in tow, move into the same neighborhood in Boise. Then- COVID (nuff said). In 2022, they met at a neighborhood turkey trot (google it, no don't) and shared their parallel aspirations of starting a coffee shop in the neighborhood, finding out that they each had their eye on the exact same busted-up space that had sat empty and neglected in an old storefront just blocks away. They began scheming...

They put their hopes and dreams into the world, in the form of conversations with other local businesses and organizations, and spent the better part of a year bugging the shit out of the landlord in the space where their visions took place. They'd sit in the parking lot of the storefront and count cars that passed each way on the major crossroads while they talked about how a coffee shop could transform their corner of the world, and how, exactly, they planned to make that happen. They imagined what the physical space would look and feel like, but they also knew that as soon as it's doors were opened, the community would shape the space just as much as the space would shape the community. Once they finally secured a lease, construction began in January of 2024 and Common Ground opened it's doors for the first time on June 1st. 

So much has happened since that day, and it's very difficult to put into words, but we'll try... neighbors becoming friends. Business partners becoming family. Dates becoming marriages. Kids growing up in the shop before our very eyes. 134,856 (exquisite) coffees sold (as of 2:55pm, April 9, 2026). One wild turkey spotted outside. One wild squirrel trapped and released from inside. Help given freely without expectation of return. Many a spontaneous piano concert. Skills and resources shared daily. Partnerships formed. Unfathomable amounts of gratitude flowing in all directions at all times. The shop has naturally become a third space as the community continues to shape it, and we continue to be amazed at it's evolution. And! We're just getting started :) 

Come in and be our neighbor, baby.