Afterglow Coffee Cooperative

Afterglow Coffee Cooperative is a worker-owned and operated business located in the Scott’s Addition neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia. Founded by five former employees of Lamplighter, the cooperative operates without a traditional hierarchy, utilizing a horizontal structure where all members participate in a consensus-based decision-making process. The business is committed to resource redistribution, mutual aid, and the development of a sustainable, zero-waste model. Their sourcing practices prioritize transparency and defined metrics for sustainability across the entire supply chain, including farmers, pickers, and drivers. In addition to operating their own cafe and roasting facility, the cooperative continues to roast coffee for the original Lamplighter retail location. The team emphasizes a workplace culture built on kindness, trust, and accountability, aiming to test the limits of equitable business practices within the current economic system. They roast and ship coffee throughout the week, maintaining a focus on collective ownership and long-term investment in both their business and the surrounding community.