RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – Starbucks has been part of the conversation about the happenings on Harper Road in Beckley for years.
That came to fruition at Tuesday’s Planning Commission Meeting, when they approved a site development plan for a Harper Road drive-through Starbucks.
In light of this turn of events, The Chocolate Moose appreciates the outpouring of community affection and support.
“It has helped us understand that we do something here that folks find value in, and that we have a chance to serve the community in a particularly unique way,” said Owner Kevin Traube.
According to Traube, on the one hand, they could take having a Starbucks four doors down as a compliment — he says it’s like Starbucks is saying, ‘there’s a nice little coffee place here, let’s take some of that business.’
“You also think — well, The Chocolate Mousse should continue to get better. It should continue to rise to challenges that happen around us,” he said. “There’s a saying, ‘You can either be bound by the past or believe in the future,’ and we’re a business that believes in the future.”
The Chocolate Mousse unites the community every day and on momentous occasions.
“There have been engagements that have happened here. Someone popped the question on hole number 18 of Mountain State Miniature Golf,” said Traube. “The room behind me, that same sort of thing happened (with) rose petals strewn through the building as the unbeknownst fiancee walked that way and didn’t realize what was about to happen.”
Staff will ask how your family is doing while customers show them their new puppy, and grandparents tell their visiting grandkids, ‘We have a great place to take you.’
“Over the years, people have come here; they’ve grown, had their first dates, gotten married, had children, and brought their children,” Traube said. “It’s just sweet to see life go forward that way.”
Those I spoke to have such love for The Chocolate Mousse and say it’s here to stay.
“What makes it special is Kevin’s commitment to the community, all the baristas, and everybody who comes here,” said Cameron Frye of Shady Spring. “This is a local hotspot, and I don’t think a Starbucks coming in can change that.”
When Traube opened in the 1980s, his location was an artisan craft gift shop — then Tamarack came along, and they had to adapt. He says a business environment always evolves, and you must move forward.
“They’ll come here and climb and play miniature golf and eat ice cream and the grandparents will get a latte. It’s nice to have a mini-legged stool that offers something to everyone,” he said. “This is a situation where we have to ask ourselves, is this something that will knock one of the legs out from under the stool, or is it just going to help us build a better stool? We want to respond to it that way.”
Rather than perpetuate corporate business, we can choose to support local — rich in community and culture necessary to our city.
“To have this place (The Chocolate Moose) is kind of like their peace,” said Barista Lila Whitten. “Starbucks can be that for some people, but for a lot of people here, they want something different, something new and something that’s theirs. This is something that only Beckley has. This is theirs.”
Regardless of whether there’s a Starbucks on Harper Road, Frye added…
“I’ll continue to be coming here,” he said. “I love to work here. I love to meet friends here. I love to meet family here. And that’s what’ll always make The Chocolate Mousse special.”
