Crime & Safety

Forza Where Lakewood Officers Were Shot To Become Blue Steele Coffee Co.

Under the new name, $1 from its Memorial whole bean coffee sales will go toward funding the maintenance of the Officers' Memorial.

The coffee shop where Lakewood experienced one of its darkest days, as well as where it finds some of its biggest inspiration for law enforcement, is changing names.

The Forza coffee shop on Steele Street east of Highway 512 will become Blue Steele Coffee Co.

The shop is where Lakewood Police Sgt. Mark Renninger and Officers Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold and Greg Richards were gunned down in .

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Under Blue Steele Coffee Co., customers can contribute directly to help memorialize the fallen officers.

"We love and support our community," owners Courtney, Olly, and Dylan Marshall wrote in a press release today. "Some of our new community programs will be to take control over the Officer’s Memorial and ensure that the memorial flags are maintained, the flowerbeds are weeded, new flowers are planted, and beauty bark is laid down as needed.

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"$1.00 from our Memorial whole bean coffee sales will go toward funding the maintenance of the Officers’ Memorial. We are establishing an annual scholarship program for a Washington High School student interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement or community service work. We will continue to support the Fallen Officers Families, local Law Enforcement and all first responders, schools, and churches."

Here is the full press release:

We are excited to announce that we are going independent from the Forza Coffee franchise system. We are taking this opportunity to do our own thing and be a little bit different from other coffee shops. Our Mission is to enhance the lives of our community by connecting with our customers and providing an unforgettable and inspiring experience. We take our time to ensure that each cup of coffee, tea, or tasty treat we offer will exceed your expectations.

Some of the newest improvements you will see is that we are now offering real house made Madagascar Vanilla syrup, house made Chai, loose leaf teas and real fruit smoothies.  We have collaborated with an exceptional roaster to offer our customers the highest quality of coffee available with direct farm partnerships; coffee with a conscience! Our roaster has direct relationships with our farmers to ensure that each farmer is given a fair price, provides training and equipment to ensure sustainability for the farm communities, and the resources to continue improving and offering exceptional coffee in the future. You as a customer can feel good about your purchase.

We love and support our community. Some of our new community programs will be to take control over the Officer’s Memorial and ensure that the memorial flags are maintained, the flowerbeds are weeded, new flowers are planted, and beauty bark is laid down as needed. $1.00 from our Memorial whole bean coffee sales will go toward funding the maintenance of the Officers’ Memorial.  We are establishing an annual scholarship program for a Washington High School student interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement or community service work. We will continue to support the Fallen Officers Families, local Law Enforcement and all first responders, schools, and churches.

We are grateful to be part of your daily lives and look forward to the exciting opportunity that lies ahead. Thank you for your continued support of this truly local, family-owned small business.

Cheers!

Courtney, Olly, and Dylan Marshall

 

BlueSteele Coffee Core Principles:

  • Treat everyone with respect and dignity.
  • Develop trust through open communication, honesty, and integrity.
  • To serve our community with passion and to help people.
  • Support local and go green whenever possible.
  • Commit to the highest quality standards and continue to learn and grow.


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