Perked Up Cafe’s Second Location Brings Fresh Flavors and Family Vibes to CNX Employees and Surrounding Community
Casey Clark’s passion for coffee and her belief in the power of community and inclusion shine through her cafe.
December 16, 2024
By Positive Energy Hub Staff
Seven years ago, Casey Clark opened the original Perked Up Cafe, inspired and fueled by her love for all things coffee.
“I basically run on espresso all day,” she laughs. “I really, really love coffee.”
Along with her appreciation for caffeine, Clark noticed a need for a coffee shop closer to her first business, Off the Wall Arts.
“The nearest coffee shop was several miles away,” Clark said. “When the building near Off the Wall Arts became available, I knew exactly what I wanted to do — turn it into a community-centered coffee shop.”
In addition to a myriad of coffee drinks, Clark and her team created a full menu including salads, sandwiches, soups, and breakfast dishes. As an artist, Clark especially enjoys the small flourishes that turn lattes, sandwiches, and salads into edible works of art —from decorative foam on cappuccinos to a perfectly proportioned sandwich.
Eighteen months ago, Clark was considering a second location right around the time CNX was reviewing potential anchor tenants for The Headquarters at CNX, a business hub dedicated to providing space for non-profit, charitable, underserved, women, and minority-owned and underrepresented organizations.
“I feel like I won a prize landing this spot,” says Clark. “Out of a group of eleven candidates, we were unanimously chosen to take over this beautiful location and see what we could achieve.”
“Casey and her team fit in so well with our CNX family,” says Melissa Wilson, Community Relations and Special Projects Operations Manager for CNX. “They are wonderful people — they just feel like family. Casey knows everyone’s name, and her staff is always smiling.”
In coming years, Clark hopes to continue expanding Perked Up Cafe to additional locations.
“Expansion is certainly my goal, but equally as important is my continued happiness here — so I won’t sacrifice that. It needs to be the right opportunity at the right time. We are thrilled to be part of the Southpointe and Charleroi communities, as well as the CNX family,” said Clark.
The Headquarters at CNX offers affordable, professional office space for organizations to elevate their mission while collaborating with similarly-minded organizations. These businesses all have different missions but they share a commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families throughout our region. Together, these organizations are creating a community that brings CNX’s Appalachia First vision to life, providing long-term, positive impacts across Appalachia.
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