Local Columbus Coffee spot is community hub
Monique Porter was thrown in the deep end five years ago when she became the manager of the Columbus Coffee at Mitre 10 MEGA in Pukekohe.
The work Porter and her team have put in over the years saw them take out the Giving Back Award at the 2018 Columbus Coffee Franchisee Awards, for the fourth year in a row.
The award is a reflection of the involvement the cafe has had in the community.
In the past 12 months the cafe has donated goody bag prizes for local schools and groups, given 2300 vouchers to sports teams in Franklin, supported local fundraisers and more.
‘‘I think the community ones (awards) are really big for us,’’ Porter said.
‘‘It’s good to know that you’ve got their support, and they know that they can come to you for whatever they need as well.
‘‘They’re involved in just about every- thing we do...We love backing our community, but if they don’t get behind us then it just wouldn’t work.’’
From day one Porter worked hard on getting involved in the community, without much insight from the last manager who was leaving the day Porter started.
‘‘It was a challenge but I love challenges,’’ Porter said
‘‘We had a massive five year goal at the beginning when I was here and that has pretty much finished now.
‘‘There was nothing for the kids here when I first started and I said ‘yeah, that’s my goal, to make it more family orientated’.’’
They have also been a finalist for the Local Marketing Award for the last three years.
So the team was stoked to finally receive the award this year.
‘‘We’ve got good relationships now with some of the other business owners in and around Franklin, so I think that would of helped with that award,’’ she said.