Local business Comma Coffee to celebrate 20 years in Carson City Saturday

As people gather for the Nevada Day festivities, a notable local business in Carson City will be celebrating a major milestone.

Carson City’s own Comma Coffee, located at 312 South Carson Street, will be hosting a 20-year anniversary event for the public on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. filled with live music, specials, games, breakfast and lunch buffets and much more.

For Owner June Joplin, the celebration signifies a positive ending to an unprecedented year full of adversity and obstacles to overcome.

“With everything that transpired this year, we just want to celebrate,” she said. “It’s been a great 20 years and we want to enjoy this moment with our loyal customers who stood by us through these times. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Since its establishment in downtown Carson City, Comma Coffee has become a relaxing getaway for locals to rejuvenate themselves. With an array of drinks, food items, games and outdoor courtyard for live music and open mic events, it’s a popular gathering spot for any interested attendees.

Joplin has seen her business grow and evolve into a community staple over the years, and she takes pride in going the extra mile to preserve a customer’s happiness.

“I wanted to create a place where people felt loved and welcomed,” she said. “More than anything, I wanted to create a feeling more than a business. It’s a place for people to connect, and it’s really special to me.”

As a local business owner, Joplin has experienced several obstacles with Comma Coffee, including the infamous 2008 recession. Throughout her journey, there were times where the future of the business was at stake.

“2012 was the most challenging year for myself and Comma,” she said. “The passing of my mother and other things made it the worst year of Comma Coffee’s life. I felt like the recession really caught up to us and it was horrible, but my son stepped in and breathed new life for us to finish strong.”

Comma Coffee exceeded expectations the following year and continued to grow with new events, promotions and items. It quickly became a go-to spot in Carson City.

“We just started going up and kept going up,” Joplin said. “It wouldn’t have been done without so many customers who came by to see us every day. It’s so special to be able to do things like that.”

The COVID-19 pandemic offered challenges for Joplin as a business owner. Along with countless other local businesses, Comma Coffee was forced to close its doors for two months before reopening. The staff size shrunk from 10 workers to 3 daily workers, including Joplin.

Despite the obstacles, Joplin helped get Comma Coffee back on its feet in time for the 20-year anniversary through her hard work and dedication. She has plans of fully reopening the business by next week following Election Day.

“The biggest challenge has been the emotions that come with events like these,” she said. “But I just told myself to get to October... I think my tenacity and stubbornness works well for a small business owner, I just don’t back down.”

Comma Coffa has endured its fair share of struggles, but Saturday will mark 20 memorable years in Carson City. It has become a key cog for the community, where locals can interact and relax for any moment in the day.

“It’s been great and truly magical,” she said. “To be where we are now, I would have never thought we would be here.”

Joplin’s diligent work ethic to sustain Comma Coffee’s success is one of the many driving forces behind the business. Throughout her 20 years as a local business owner, she constantly finds ways to improve and adapt.

She has learned many lessons throughout her experience. But even in hard times, Joplin makes sure to savor what Comma Coffee has become.

“If I had a secret it would be my ability to adapt and evolve and grow,” she said. “It’s important for me to love what I do. … I have a place of bliss, I go and sit on the lawn on the Capitol across the street, and I’ll look at what I created. It’s never failed me, it energizes me to keep going and do whatever it takes.”

Comma Coffee will be holding its celebratory event on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Follow their Facebook page for more information.