You work on your feet for 8 hours per day. And it’s exhausting

It isn’t easy to wake up at 5AM and force your brain into hyperactive motion. It isn’t easy to manage a crowd of customers that floods in the door the second we open at 6. A day’s work includes endless running back and forth through the cafe, checking to make sure everything’s running properly, ensuring that no customer leaves unhappy.

It almost seems like an oxymoron — how can a coffee shop be exhausting? Isn’t this supposed to be a haven of relaxation, soft jazz, and comfort food? Shouldn’t every employee be amped up on caffeine and good vibes?