When given a chance to create something new out of something that has been around for years, losing track of the original goal can be easy. However, that is the opposite of what Karis Murila, new director of Barefoots Joe and Modero Coffee Roasters, has achieved.
In July, Murila received the “fastest promotion” she had ever gotten by previous director Joy Moore and became the full-time director of both Barefoots and Modero.
Murila started working in her position a little over two months ago. Her job, originally a two-person job, has now been merged into one expansive position, which she graciously took.
Upon meeting Murila, I felt it was essential to ask what her favorite coffee was, considering her new position allows her to be around coffee more often than not.
“Maple cardamom cappuccino,” Murila said. “Cardamom is a spice that is used in a lot of African and Indian dishes.”
Murila watched as I stared down at my suddenly basic blended caramel latte that I had ordered beforehand and laughed before reassuring me that the caramel imported to Barefoots and Modero is from a proper chocolate company, so it is still top-tier.
Senior public relations major and inventory assistant Julia Matteson’s first impression of Murila on the job was that she was vivacious and full of gratitude.
“Even though she was new to the job, she was very confident and ready, which was impressive.” Matteson said. “She cares about the quality of things.”
Murila takes immense pride in having good drinks to present to consumers but ultimately wants an environment that matches just how excellent the products are.
The notion of community comes easy to Murila. She loves being able to interact hands-on with her baristas, which is why her office moving into the pantry of Barefoots was a huge deal to her.
“It means I am in the thick of it at all times, and I love it,” Murila said.
Karis loves when her baristas pop in and say hi to her, and she loves to eavesdrop on their conversations non-stalkingly because it shows that they are a family and that the idea of “home” is slowly brewing within them.
“I think the idea of hospitality as one of the core values — not only of the shops but one of my core values,” Murila said.
Murila wants to continue prioritizing things that make her coffee shop feel like not only a coffee shop but a place to come, hang out and be with one another.
Murila has already made a few exciting little changes to both coffee shops, like introducing new flavors and even time changes to both Modero and Barefoots.
The hope for changing Barefoots time to closing at 9 p.m. instead of 5 p.m. was to allow students to relax, play games, talk with friends — and not in a “sterile” library environment.
Murila mentioned many times that socialization and community are important to her, so being able to bring more of both by changing the time was one of the first things she did as the new director.
“A third place,” Murila said, referring to Barefoots Joe. “It is not where you live; it is not where you work; it is the next place.”
Murila wanted a place where students could escape and come together, whether through the events Barefoots Joe puts on or just laughing over a cup of coffee.
Despite all of Murila’s outward changes, her biggest hope is that both of her coffee shops exhort kindness and keep the legacies of the coffee shops alive.
“I want Barefoots to continue to be a place where students, artists, and teachers, and everyone feels invited to engage with the arts and to have conversations,” Murila said.
She enjoys the energy of students and artists coming together and connecting in an intimate environment, and she is determined to keep that specific feeling alive.
“Since the beginning, Barefoots has been there as a place for connection, a place for community, and I love that,” Karis said. “I see no reason to change that ethos because it’s beautiful.”
Murila tells all baristas that they welcome people into the space and provide them with excellent service. Hospitality is the main factor she wants to continue pushing for at Barefoots Joe and Modero.
“Students are not part of your job,” she said. “they are your job.”
