COMMON GOODS CO

The idea of the common good has been a consistent theme in Western political philosophy since the era of the ancient Greek city-states. It calls for a deeply embedded fellowship and asserts that people can and should live their lives attuned to social relationships, particularly in the realm of politics and public service. So when Emily Allen was considering the phrase as a name for her new “toast and espresso bar,” she realized it fit perfectly with her initial call to action—to offer a place of respite where food and coffee act as tools for the community. “I love the aspect of getting to know people in the community and offering a space where people can gather and have good conversations,” she claims. Alongside business partner and coffee pro Kaity Gauthreaux, Emily is using this quaint, Ruston-based space to spread the message that when we break bread together around a table, “friends become family and family become friends.”

Article by Vanelis Rivera Styling by Taylor Bennett Photos by Kelly Moore Clark

ORIGINALLY FROM MONROE, Emily moved to Ruston about ten years ago with her family. She started teaching second grade, but promptly realized it “just wasn’t the right fit.” Her husband, a regular customer at Railway Coffee, urged her to put her home baking skills to the test and apply for a job. “I was like, ‘sure, that sounds like fun.’” Baking for the coffee shop was a seamless fit, and not long after joining she was given a management position, which consequently grew her love for the craft. “Even though I no longer work at that coffee shop, the experience I gained was invaluable. There are no rose-colored glasses when it comes to owning and running a shop,” she reveals. There she met Kaity, a kindred spirit who shared her passion for quality food, friendly ambiance, and mindful service. When the company’s management changed, Emily began looking ahead, with the goal in mind of becoming her own boss. Naturally, she approached Kaity about her plan, persuading her to take over the coffee bar. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but thoughts of sitting at a desk again for eight hours a day, staring at a computer screen ignited in them the desire to take a leap of faith.

Instead of turning to bank loans as their financial stepping stone, they opted to find assistance in their community via Kickstarter, a global crowdfunding platform focused on creativity. Though they also got generous backing from their fathers, the Kickstarter campaign was slightly risky because in order to get funding from the crowdfund they needed to reach the entire amount they asked for on their profile, which totaled $20,000.00. On the platform’s due date, seemingly with a little help from providence, they exceeded their goal by $2,000.00. “I’m so glad we did this. We’re not out-of-pocket at all,” says Emily. This off-the-beaten-path approach not only has kept them out of debt but has strengthened their business by bringing to the forefront the power of community and generosity. In that way, they managed to establish a close relationship between their business and the people they hope to serve.

Officially, Common Goods Co. opened May 5th, 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, which meant they opened with a takeoutonly menu, at first. And although this was, as one customer called it, “ballsy,” it did give them a chance to refine their operation without a lot of pressure. Figuring out ways to prep food efficiently and expedite orders promptly was a cinch with a team of only five. That core would be responsible for the foundation of what has become home to a small, but motivated team that “truly thrive in that type of environment.” Their popularity is clearly a by-product of their persistence. “I would say, probably daily, like eighty percent of our customers are returning customers,” proclaims Emily, adding that Louisiana Tech is a significant part of their business. Regardless of where their clientele hails from, the staff makes sure to become acquainted with familiar faces, even if it’s just knowing whether they have kids, what their job is, or most importantly—how they take their coffee.

That’s Kaity’s department, and with five years of experience in the coffee industry, customers can count on a prime brew every time. After sampling a plethora of coffees, they landed on using beans from Rhino Coffee in Shreveport. Not only was the quality up to par with their expectations, but they were excited to support a regional business. Their choice was further solidified by Rhino’s roasting team and how “sweet and knowledgeable they are,” asserts Kaity, adding, “They have continued to match their original quality and are just

On their bread menu, they offer a Country Loaf (open textured loaf with a clean, simple flavor), Sandwich Loaf (sturdy loaf with a crisp crust and soft center), Baguette (thin, French-style loaf with a crisp crust), and a gluten-free loaf.

Their toast menu is perhaps the most frequented with six savory and sweet options that are as delicious as they are intriguing. The Breakfast Crunch is a promising start to any day with cashew butter, bananas, blueberries, and granola. Wanting more of a snack? Their Nutella + Berry is topped with the worldrenown hazelnut cocoa spread, strawberries, and coconut. Their top-selling Avocado toast is on the savory side, and it accounts for about a fifth of their monthly sales. Topped with feta, bagel seasoning, and hot sauce, Emily claims, “In a week, we probably make three hundred!” Emily Allen and Kaity Gauthreaux are using their quaint, Ruston-based space to spread the message that when we break bread together around a table, “friends become family and family become friends.”

all-around our easiest partnership.” Common Goods’ coffee menu offers classic cafe options like lattes, cappuccinos, and cortados. “I’m a big fan of just black coffee,” says Kaity, “but when I do make a latte I like honey and lavender with oat milk.” Though their menu is straightforward, offering espresso options and a variety of brewing options, including Chemex, V-60, and cold brew, every few months they add “lots of fun” seasonal drinks, a result of the whole team brainstorming together and testing recipes. Their summer drink menu, which will last until August, currently lists a blueberry pancake latte (hot or iced) as well as watermelon lemonade and a tropical smoothie (pineapple, mango, banana, and coconut milk).

Oh, and to circle back to Emily’s husband touting her baking skills—Common Goods brews may pull first-time customers inside, but Emily claims their bread is the star of the show that will keep them coming back. “I always said that if I ever ended up having my own place, I would want it to be a bakery with homemade artisan bread, most of which are made of sourdough,” she says. Inspired by a toast and coffee shop she visited in California, Emily endeavored to create a place that bakes

I love that we work shifts just like our baristas do. We get to interact with the community that is consistently supporting us and get to set an example of how we want things done.”

– KAITY GAUTHREAUX

With the help of a friend, Emily was able to curate a “light and airy” space that feels natural. Light wood tables are decorated with wildflowers placed in glass jars. White molded Evie chairs create a tone of modern elegance that compliments the rosemary-colored coffee bar counter. “Table together” is painted in green, lowercase letters on the main wall, while a reading nook is embellished with a brightly colored, floral mural painted by artist Rae Tedeton.

fresh loaves every day. On their bread menu, they offer a Country Loaf (open textured loaf with a clean, simple flavor), Sandwich Loaf (sturdy loaf with a crisp crust and soft center), Baguette (thin, Frenchstyle loaf with a crisp crust), and a gluten-free loaf. Four sandwich options are available between 11 AM to 2 PM and include classics like grilled cheese to more intricate flavor combinations such as brie, apricot, and bacon. Their toast menu is perhaps the most frequented with six savory and sweet options that are as delicious as they are intriguing. The Breakfast Crunch is a promising start to any day with cashew butter, bananas, blueberries, and granola. Wanting more of a snack? Their Nutella + Berry is topped with the world-renown hazelnut cocoa spread, strawberries, and coconut. Their top-selling Avocado toast is on the savory side, and it accounts for about a fifth of their monthly sales. Topped with feta, bagel seasoning, and hot sauce, Emily claims, “In a week, we probably make three hundred!”

The bread items are a hard act to follow, but their sweet baked goods are up to the task, particularly their blueberry, Earl Grey vegan donut. Other delicacies are cinnamon rolls topped with homemade icing, cream cheese and blueberry cream cheese kolaches, cookies, and paleo bread (banana and blueberry). The summer menu boasts your choice of peach vanilla or cookie two-step affogato, an Italian coffeebased dessert where a scoop of ice cream is christened with a shot of hot espresso. “I’ve never gone to cooking school or anything like that. I’ve just taught myself,” admits Emily, informing she just aims to use simple ingredients and create simple presentations, which ultimately result in “really good” tasting creations. Regarding their menu, Emily says they plan to keep things relatively small, maintaining that instead of having an expansive bill of fare, she’d “rather offer ten really great things.”

The intimate menu is intentionally reflected in their warm and cozy interior. Their commercial space is perfectly situated between the north and south side of town, an area that was unfortunately hit by the tornado last spring but has made an impressive comeback, one that they are glad to take part in. With the help of a friend, Emily was able to curate a “light and airy” space that feels natural. Light wood tables are decorated with wildflowers placed in glass jars. White molded Evie chairs create a tone of modern elegance that compliments the rosemary-colored coffee bar counter. “Table together” is painted in green, lowercase letters on the main wall, while a reading nook is embellished with a brightly colored, floral mural painted by artist Rae Tedeton. The space is minimal in the best way, adding distinct details that give it character, like the wooden pegboard shelves (made by Emily’s husband), mounted brown paper roll menu, and the woven pendant light fixtures.

“I honestly forget that I own this shop sometimes because Emily and I are on the front lines so often,” exclaims Kaity. Though they manage different moving parts of the business, they both have learned the power of working in partnership. “I love that we work shifts just like our baristas do. We get to interact with the community that is consistently supporting us and get to set an example of how we want things done,” she adds. Good coffee and bread may effortlessly make things better, but the Common Goods team wants to also nourish souls. After all, they believe we should all champion the common good.

Common Goods Co. is located at 1007 N Trenton St, Ruston, LA. They are open Monday through Friday between 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Saturday from 8 AM to 2 PM. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook!

REVIEW BY MEREDITH MCKINNIE

“One thing I have learned is that one must grab at the chances life offers - taste the fruit, drink the wine. At the hour of one’s death there will be no solace in knowing that one has known one’s place or lived safely.”

Selina Lennox is the quintessential post-World War II socialite, haunted by the experience of the war, but relatively isolated from the struggles of the lower classes. She lives her days in a drunken haze of high-society parties and trivial conversations with like-minded peers. In her early twenties, the pressure to marry well and raise a family is intensifying as Selina resists everyone’s expectations and attempts to forge her own path. By chance encounter, Selina meets Lawrence, a painter who idolizes her and engages her mind. The twosome isolate themselves, hidden from the paparazzi cameras that stalk Selina’s every move. For the first time, Selina feels genuine attraction, absent parental negotiation or attention to societal standing. The love story evolves as a constant push-and-pull of what Selina wants, what she thinks she needs, and what Lawrence will allow. Grey writes of Lawrence: “He would remember how quickly, how casually she had dismissed the subject, and how easily he was reassured by that. And he would feel pity for the naive fool he was then, on that night when the stars swam in puddles of molten silver and they danced in the empty streets and anything seemed possible.”

The love story is told in tandem with a young girl’s story over a decade later. Alice is alone with her extended family, waiting for her mother and father to return from abroad. Grey writes with glamour and stylish commentary. She paints vivid scenes of postwar England, but a view from the terrace, far removed from the reality on the ground. The shifting narrators provide intrigue, as Selina’s story blurs into Alice’s reality. Overall, the ending is somewhat predictable and heartbreaking, but yet beautiful in the way one hopes love can be. Romance novels lovers who enjoy period pieces will appreciate this book. Grey sprinkles the tale with the magic of a love story in a time when it was harder to love without boundaries. Grey also explores the themes of loss and regret. If you long for escapism, Grey’s novel provides the luxury.

“It was like being permanently in that glorious, fleeting start of the evening - the glittering hour - when the first swiftly downed cocktail drove away the demons; when her blood and her limbs loosed and everything shimmered with promise.”

The Medical Spa by St. Francis Medical Group

AS SUMMER VACATION DRAWS TO A CLOSE, WE EDGE closer to the back-to-school season and getting back into those busy school day routines! We want to help you relax and refresh before getting into the hustle and bustle of those busy schedules. During the entire month of August, we are offering 25% off our treatments and 20% off all retail products for our teachers (with teacher ID). Come in and pamper yourselves before the upcoming school year!

The team at The Medical Spa is also very excited for a special event that will take place on August 12th from 2-6 p.m. We are looking forward to hosting our first Botox and Bubbles event! Gather your friends, make an appointment, and join us for an afternoon full of beauty, Botox, complimentary bubbly and so much more! Call today and make an appointment. Limited walk-in appointments will be available on August 12th.

While you’re here, enjoy a free consultation to find out more about our treatment offerings and retail products. Our SkinCeuticals representative will be on site with their SkinScope Diagnostic System for a complimentary skin analysis. Some skin issues like photodamage, dehydration, pore congestion, oily skin, and uneven texture are not visible to the naked eye. The SkinScope System takes a deeper look to identify problem areas. This provides an opportunity to recommend a customizable skin care regime specific to your skin care needs! Let us help you get yourself looking and feeling refreshed!

Specials and pricing for August 12th will include: • Special Botox Price of $10/unit • Purchase 1 Juvederm Syringe get $50 off OR purchase 2 syringes get $75 off each • SkinCeuticals HA Intensifier 25% off • Obagi Elastiderm Products 25% off • Complimentary Refreshments • Free Consultations

Have the summer months left your skin needing some repair? The pool chemicals can leave our skin dehydrated or you may experience excess oil due to these hot days, and we have plenty to offer to get your skin back on track! From our medical grade skin care products to our skincare treatments, we can help choose the best option for you. The team at The Medical Spa have some suggestions to help you repair and correct that post-summer damage!

The Obagi NuDerm System is designed to correct hyperpigmentation (dark spots), melasma, and transform aging skin. The system contains prescription strength 4% hydroquinone. Hydroquinone acts by inhibiting melanin production. By controlling this production, the skin becomes more evenly toned over time. This multi-step system is easy to use and available as normal-dry or normal-oily, depending on your specific skin care needs. During the month of August, purchase a NuDerm Trial Kit and you will receive a free Obagi Hydrate moisturizer!

Discoloration Defense by SkinCeuticals is another great product for pigmentation concerns. Discoloration Defense is a daily-wear serum proven to help reduce appearance of discoloration, improve skin brightness, and minimize further discoloration! The serum contains tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide, all working together to help even your skin tone. We suggest pairing this product with a Vitamin C serum and SPF.

Phloretin CF is a daytime vitamin C antioxidant serum designed to provide environmental protection and diminish fine lines and discoloration while accelerating cellular turnover to improve skin texture. The serum contains phloretin, an antioxidant that protects against unwanted pigmentation production. The serum also contains 10% pure L-ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that provides protection against free radicals, UV rays, pollution, and other daily environmental factors that cause pre-mature aging. The final ingredient, ferulic acid, enhances the benefits of phloretin and vitamin C; all working together to provide the ultimate protection against aging and discoloration!

Hyperpigmentation is a battle that many people face each summer. The increased time spent outdoors and exposure to UV rays leads to unwanted pigmentation and pre-mature aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. By using preventative products such as a vitamin C serum and SPF you can help protect your skin and keep that youthful appearance! Be sure to come by The Medical Spa this month to take advantage of our specials, events, and to find out more about the medical grade skincare products offered here! We are in the James R. Wolff Building (also known as the P&S Building) in downtown Monroe. Our address is 312 Grammont Street Suite 406, across from St. Francis Medical Center. This location offers complimentary valet parking, privacy, and easy access for clients. Also, be certain to follow us on St. Francis Medical Center Facebook page and Instagram so you can be up to date on all the new and exciting things happening here at The Medical Spa.

Meredith’s Musings A SMASHING GOOD CAKE article by MEREDITH MCKINNIE

We were assembled in a semicircle on rafts, the sun hot on our skin. Meeting for Saturday swims in my family’s pool has become a weekly ritual. The summer temps in Louisiana leave little room for any other outdoor activity apart from water submersion. My girlfriend and I were catching up on our weeks, which usually involve a lot of laughs and minor complaints. Her mother’s birthday was coming up that weekend, and she was scrambling to align her kids’ schedules to make the trek to her parent’s house for the family get-together. Her boyfriend of several years saw the familiar signs of too much stress, and thoughtfully offered to help. They agreed he could pick up the cake, a relatively simple request, but when she mentioned the details involved in choosing the cake and that it was not just an errand of retrieval, a sly smile spread across my face. I knew what was coming... a cake debacle. And in hindsight a cake will seem trivial, but in the moments of planning, anything deviating from the expected can send southern hostesses into a tailspin.

She wanted a rectangular chocolate sheet cake with white icing. He was to carry it directly from the freezer to the counter and have the decorator write “Happy Birthday, Mom.” He had no trouble selecting the cake, and placed it in the home refrigerator for my friend to see later in the day. But when she went to inspect the cake, there wasn’t much to see, as it only stretched six inches across. For her boyfriend, the size of the cake didn’t matter, and as cakes are rarely eaten in their entirety, why waste money on a larger sheet cake? But what he saw as an opportunity to purchase a more appropriate cake for the small gathering, my friend saw clearly as a smash cake, the tiny extra purchase used solely for babies and toddlers to attack with vigor from the comfort of a high chair. She couldn’t show up with a mini cake. What would her mother think? Would her dad be disappointed that it appeared she had failed to plan and rushed to buy what was left shortly before the party? And if she blamed her boyfriend, wouldn’t that be the same thing?

As she is detailing the cake debacle, I notice my husband lounging on an obnoxiously large unicorn raft nearby, seeming disinterested behind his Oakley sunglasses. He was taking a well-deserved break from entertaining the kids with water guns and big cannonball splashes for most of the afternoon, but the sly smile on his lips confirmed his eavesdropping, and he couldn’t resist the urge to chime in. He didn’t text a picture of the cake before buying it? He assumed his idea of a birthday cake was the same as yours? Amateur. My husband’s deferral to what has worked for him in these matters is clearly a result of trial and error. He forgets the time he substituted an heirloom tomato for a jar of sun-dried tomatoes or bowtie pasta when I distinctly asked for penne. He now knows the importance of sticking to the list provided by his wife, as any aversion will mean a return trip to the store. We had one mini catastrophe when I was eight months pregnant and was craving a Pepsi. He brought home a vanilla Pepsi and the pregnancy hormones erupted. He now jokingly asks if I want a Pepsi before entering a convenience store.

My friend ended up buying an ice cream cake to accompany the smash cake, and the kids loved it, her mother was celebrated, and everyone survived the cake debacle. The entire episode was reduced to a funny anecdote among friends and probably a joke between the couple. I encourage more deviations from the expected, as perfectly tailored birthday cakes are rarely appreciated to the extent they’ve been planned, and smash cakes serve the present moment more effectively. What creates a pretty picture often fails to make a good story, and stories are the fabric of a summer afternoon among friends.