Do the victims of capitalism pay full price?
Last Saturday, one local superhero’s dream became a reality: Lara Americo hosted the grand opening of the shop she founded, Comic Girl Coffee & Books, an inclusive space made by and for queer people, people of color and those looking for a good comic and even better coffee.
With lines out the door and a fervent desire for the Latte of the Day, “The Gay Pride Glitter Bomb,” families, Lara and shop co-owner/co-op member Nada Merghani were slinging lattes faster than a speeding bullet with a caffeine kick more powerful than any locomotive. Customers included cosplayers, families with kids in all manner of Chewbacca and Pikachu garb, and a surprise who’s who of local Charlotte names, including former Republican mayoral candidate Edwin Peacock’s wife, Amy, who popped in for a latte during her relay run in NoDa.
“The purpose of the space is to both educate customers about the issues that marginalized people face and also be a safe space for queer people, people of color and victims of capitalism,” said Americo. “The grand opening proved that our business model is resonating with the community.”