Vienna's Caffe Amouri Celebrates 10th Anniversary During Pandemic

VIENNA, VA — Caffe Amouri has become a local favorite in the 10 years it's served up small-batch coffee in Vienna. Even as the business remains open for only takeout and shipping orders during the pandemic, the anniversary couldn't pass without a celebration on Tuesday.

"It's overwhelming to me sometimes, the support that I get," said owner Michael Amouri, who has been a Vienna resident since the 1980s.

Community appreciation was evident as Amouri received well wishes from customers — and even dumplings from a former employee — during the 10-year anniversary event on Tuesday. The celebration drew participation from other local businesses: a pop-up bookstore from Bards Alley, ice cream from Ben & Jerry's for affogato, and demonstrations from bikes@vienna.

Caffe Amouri prides itself on its mission: "quality, community, sustainability and knowledge" by pairing small batch coffee with the education of coffee making, community events, and green practices. But the pandemic has required another aspect: adaptability.

Once the crisis began, the coffee shop shut down to all but online bean sales. Amouri worried that customers wouldn't come back when it reopened four weeks later. But just as they showed up when the business first opened, they've been showing up for takeout orders.

The business is now operating a contactless takeout window while making the "tough decision" to keep the interior closed. Keeping his staff employed and interpreting state and federal health guidelines have been ongoing challenges. There have also been efforts to help Caffe Amouri come out stronger after the pandemic, including the launch of a new app for pre-orders.

"It's been challenging. I've worked harder in the past four months than I have in the first year of business," he told Patch.

Amouri sees the coffee shop's relationship with the community as symbiotic because both give back to each other. All sales from Tuesday are going to Neighborhood Health, which provides health care to underinsured and uninsured patients in Northern Virginia. The business was also involved in the Vienna Business Association's Feeding Families 5K, which raised over $10,000 to benefit Vienna families in need, and contributed to Vienna VA Foodies Facebook group's own donation efforts for residents in need.

Amouri promises the coffee shop will be back once he feels it is safe to fully reopen.

"I'm just looking forward to the day when we can throw the doors open and say 'come on in,'" he said.

See his full message of thanks for the 10-year anniversary below.

If you are interested in a local business feature, please email Vienna Patch editor Emily Leayman at emily.leayman@patch.com.