Blue State Coffee

Blue State Coffee runs coffee stores in Providence, Rhode Island, New Haven, Connecticut, and Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The company donates 2% of sales to "local, progressive" causes, and has given over $440,000 as of spring 2014. History: The company launched a website in September 2006. The first store opened in July 2007 on Thayer Street in Providence, near Brown University. In February 2009, Blue State Coffee opened two more stores: one in the Brown University Bookstore and another in New Haven, near Yale University. In May 2010, Blue State Coffee opened a fourth store in New Haven, again close to Yale University. A fifth store opened in September 2010 on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston. In September 2012, the sixth store opened in New Haven near the Yale Hospital. Media: Blue State Coffee has received coverage in Vanity Fair, the Hartford Courant, the Providence Journal, Yale Daily News and The Brown Daily Herald, amongst other newspapers. Political involvement: Blue State Coffee claims it is motivated by liberal ideals. While not a part of any political organization, the cafes frequently host speakers and events for a variety of causes. Notable speakers have included Al Franken (while running for senate in Minnesota), Kal Penn (while campaigning for Barack Obama), and Craig Robinson (Michelle Obama's brother). Philanthropy: As of November 2013, Blue State Coffee has donated over $400,000 to non-profit organizations in New Haven, Providence and Boston. In New Haven, these organizations include All Our Kin, the Connecticut Food Bank, LEAP, CitySeed, Yale's Dwight Hall, the Festival of Arts and Ideas, JUNTA for Progressive Action, and New Haven Reads. In Providence, these organizations include Summerbridge, Farm Fresh RI, and Marriage Equality RI.