A Second Home: Richard’s Coffee Shop brings community to Iredell County Veterans
What started as Pat’s Gourmet Coffee Shop became much more than just a living military museum—it is the second home for local veterans in Iredell County.
Richard’s Coffee Shop, owned and operated by Richard Warren, a U.S. Army, Vietnam combat pilot who flew a Huey attack helicopter, made the point of extending it to the community, not just local veterans. However, Richard passed away in May of 2009 due to complications of Agent Orange. Months before his passing, he started forming a non-profit organization called Welcome Home Veterans.
Richard’s Coffee Shop, named in Richard Warren’s honor, and with oversight from Welcome Home Veterans, Inc., opened on July 4th, 2009, just down the street from the original location of Pat’s Coffee Shop. Now, it is a museum that is open to the public as a military history museum and the spot for local veterans to have a sense of community.
Lake Norman Record sat down with Veterans who gather there daily to chat with others who have lived through similar experiences or love the support and connection that Richard’s Coffee shop gives them.
Veterans who have made Richard’s Coffee Shop their Second Home
Groups of veterans can be found mingling inside of the shop or outside on the back porch, smoking cigarettes and cigars while sipping coffee. Inside, a group of men sat around the table talking amongst themselves but were open to an interview.
Rich Graczewski, a 77-year-old retiree from Connecticut but made Mooresville his home, came into Richard’s Coffee Shop where he was immediately welcomed. “I have gained a lot of new friends and am still meeting new people who are coming in. It is a great social gathering for veterans and for everyone who is coming in,” said Graczewski.
“It is a great place for a lot of older gentlemen to come in and hang out and come together,” shared Frank Berridge.
“We are so invested in veterans and getting veterans the help that they need,” shared Jack Willes. “We also give veterans financial support that they need.” Willes shared that last year Richard’s Coffee Shop gave out $90,000 to help veterans with rent, utilities and other needs. “This year we want to surpass that,” said Willes.
John Bellino, retired telephone man and retired truck driver, shared that he moved to Mooresville from upstate New York to be near his daughter. “I lost my wife a couple of years ago and I come here every day. I meet a lot of people who are in the same predicament I was in and there is a lot of support,” said Bellino.
Bellino shares that he looks forward to baking a cake every Thursday for veterans who come to Richard’s Coffee Shop and the community, with a grand total of 100 plus attendees. “I live by myself. This is my life and this is my home,” said Bellino.
Carol Johnston, a volunteer, shares how she enjoys baking treats for the veterans and the community. “I hear a lot of the guys say the reason they like to come is that they have a lot of shared history. They may not share the same branch and service but they are still here,” shared Johnston.
Moving the conversation to the back porch of Richard’s Coffee Shop, veterans sit outside, chat and share stories about their lives and time in service.
Robert Caudill spent 26 years in the Navy and traveled all over the world. “Now, I hang out here on this back porch six days a week,” he said.
Caudill shared how Richard’s Coffee Shop impacted him stating that being apart of this community saved his life. “Being able to talk to people who lived through the same thing that I did helps keep our spirits up and to keep each other from falling into the suicide trap,” said Caudill.
David Parkins, sitting across from Caudill, shares that he served in the Navy for two tours in Vietnam and served on the board for Richard’s Coffee Shop for 12 years. Caudill adds that Parkins helped make the coffee shop into what it is today.
“It’s given me a new purpose in life with the brotherhood,” said Parkins. “I am a part of the back porch gang.”
Michael Francisco, a veteran who spent time in the Navy as an aircraft mechanic, shares how he enjoys spending his time on the back porch with “come of the greatest men and women on the face of the Earth.”
“I added a new family. These are my brothers and sisters now. They have my back and I have their back, 100%,” said Francisco.
Richard’s Coffee Shop is open to the general public and encourages members of the community to visit the museum as it does hold some of the veterans history, such as the bell from Caudill’s first ship.
Richard’s Coffee Shop is located at 165 N Main Street, Mooresville. The shop and museum is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., closed on Sunday.
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