A Letter From Jonathan Pascual, Taproom Coffee’s Owner

July 2025

As I think about the next chapter for Taproom Coffee, I keep coming back to how much this little shop has meant - not just to me, but to so many of you who’ve made it part of your everyday lives.

We opened Taproom back in 2014 with a pretty simple goal: serve good coffee and create a welcoming space for the neighborhood. Over the years, it’s become something much bigger. It’s been a steady presence in Kirkwood - a place where people met, talked, worked, rested, celebrated, grieved, and just lived life together over a cup of coffee.

It hasn’t always been easy. I’m especially proud of how our team showed up and persevered together through the pandemic, when everything was uncertain. Taproom stayed open and survived at a time when so many small businesses had to close - and that’s a reflection of the grit and care of our staff and the loyalty of this neighborhood.

In recent years, Taproom has thrived under the steady leadership of Amy Buice as Store Manager, and with a barista crew that brings warmth and consistency to the bar every day. Because of them, I’ve been able to step back from daily operations, knowing the shop was in good hands.

For me personally, Taproom has been both work and joy. It helped provide for my family and taught me how to lead, how to listen, and how to build something with people and purpose. Those lessons are a big part of what led me to start Opo Coffee in Decatur, which has grown a lot in the past few years. To give Opo the attention it needs, it’s time for me to officially hand off Taproom to someone new.

But here’s the thing - I’m not handing it off to a stranger.

Taproom is being purchased by Ashley Derrick, someone who has lived just around the corner in East Lake for over 20 years with her spouse, Allison Grounds. Ashley has supported Taproom from the very beginning - not just as a regular customer, but also as the one quietly funding our free coffee days for school workers, healthcare workers, and those recently affected by layoffs at the CDC. She’s also a part-owner at Opo, so our connection continues.

I couldn’t think of a better person to carry this forward.

Nothing dramatic is changing. The team is still here. Your favorite drinks are still here. Taproom is still Taproom.

Taproom has always been more than a business to me. It’s been a starting point - for people beginning their careers, launching creative projects, or just needing a space to breathe and belong. It’s also been a backdrop for so many stories: first dates, business ideas, book-writing sessions, Bible studies, and even a marriage proposal. In a quiet way, we’ve been stewards of moments in people’s lives - and that’s something I’ll always be proud of.

A huge thank-you to my wife, Sarah, and my four kids for supporting me through all the highs and lows of small business ownership. And to the friends, family, and neighbors who helped us get this thing off the ground in the first place - especially those of you who backed our very first Kickstarter campaign - I’m forever grateful. Taproom was built with your help. I’m also grateful for the ways God has shown up faithfully in both the calm and the chaos.

So thank you. Whether you’ve been with us since day one or just found us last week, thank you for being part of this story. Taproom’s next chapter is in good hands, and I hope you’ll keep showing up - not just for the coffee, but for the community it represents.

And if you ever want to say hi or catch up - you can find me over at Opo in Decatur.

With gratitude,
Jonathan Pascual