June Berkowitz, Owner Of Nina’s Coffee Shops, On The Importance Of Third Places, Listening, And Spirit Animals

What is the one book people should read to understand what you do?

The Great Good Place by Ray Oldenburg: Oldenburg talks about the third place, the place that people go to, that isn’t home or work.  It can also be a bar or a library but there’s a wonderful section on coffee shops.   

Be A Day Maker by David Anderson: If you’re in the coffee business, you better be a day maker. You may well be the first person someone sees that day.

 Who is the one person, living or dead, in your profession who you most admire?

Tracy Singleton, the owner of the Birchwood.  She was always pushing the envelope for the industry and pushing it in a very philanthropic way.  They’re currently closed and she’s taking a break but I wanted to give her a shout out.

What have you seen lately that’s been inspiring?

My employees, when they came to me and said they wanted to reopen. They said that Nina’s is a light in the neighborhood. We need to be that light. My question was, what does that look like? How can we do it safely? 

It’s about community. We need to start being with other people.

What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you were 22?

To listen. Really listen. Be purposeful and listen purposefully.  I am just learning to do that now and now it's harder to remember!

 Do you have a pet?

My dogs Josh and Oatley both had beautiful souls. 

 But Oatley is a spirit animal. White bears have always been spirit animals. Her eyes. How she presents herself. She’s just a gift.

June Berkowitz is the owner of Nina’s Coffee Shop, which has enlivened the corner of Western and Selby for years, and which recently opened a Stillwater location.