By: Kyli Penrod

A large bell chimes as you walk in the door and your senses take in the colorful walls, antique décor and mid-80’s music. Common Grounds provides a one-of-a-kind experience here in Blackford County and proves that one small business can make a huge impact on a community. Common Grounds opened in 2011 to serve the community fresh coffee, homemade food and give people a place to hang out. 

Today the owner, Katie Kile Rich, takes pride in serving 100 percent fresh, homemade food, including Common Grounds’ staple, Biscuits and Gravy. Other fan favorites include her Dirty Chai Lattes, homemade soups, and salads in the summer. If you’re looking to spice up the middle of your week, then check out Common Grounds’ Facebook to see their Mid-Week Specials and try something not featured on their regular menu.

“I like being able to give back to the community where I grew up,” Rich said when asked about her favorite part of running a business in Blackford. She sees a lot of regulars come in and out the door, and most of them have become good friends of hers over the years. This small coffee shop has benefited the people in our community by providing a unique place to gather.  Common Grounds’ rustic antique atmosphere changes often with new trinkets and signs added every so often. The layout gets rearranged as well for a different feel. The continual changes make it a place you can never tire of.

Common Grounds’ future is looking bright with the possibility of a move to a new downtown site. No date has been set for the move, but there will be more space which means new opportunities for Rich’s creativity to be expressed with both cuisine and atmosphere.

“We hope to have live entertainment and possibly extended hours when we move,” Rich said. 

This new location also means a bigger place for community members to gather and enjoy the unique experience you can only get at Common Grounds. 

But you don’t have to wait for the move, you can get a move on and head up to Common Grounds for some homemade cooking and join in the conversation about how coffee got to be called “a cup of Joe.”