Heather Zippen, Manager/Barista Starlight Coffee Co.
By Ty Simpson
Customers of Starlight Coffee are greeted with a warm smile and friendly service.
Heather Zippen has worked at Starlight for just over a year. She serves as the store manager and barista.
Zippen was born and raised in Ramsey, Indiana. After marrying a marine she traveled across the country with him and even went overseas when his deployment took him to Okinawa, Japan. During her 13-year marriage, Zippen spent 2 years in Okinawa, Japan, 5 years in Quantico, Virginia, and 6 years in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
After divorcing her husband she decided to come back to Southern Indiana because she says it is a great place to raise her family. Zippen says that the location of New Albany is very unique because you can experience a variety of cultures. For her, being from the small town of Ramsey, Indiana, New Albany is a city of many different faces. New Albany provides the big city culture of Louisville or Cincinnati, while still rural enough to keep a homegrown feel.
Zippen says that she loves her job at Starlight Coffee.
“It’s the best job that I’ve had. Just because you’re making people happy,” Zippen said.
The location of the store and the customers that it attracts appeal to her. She says that the location of the store is important to the feel of the shop because it isn’t in a prime real estate location.
“You don’t want something in the most populated areas. People want to go off the beaten path to get away,” Zippen said.
Zippen says that Starlight Coffee Co. functions a little differently from a larger chain coffee shop. The majority of the customers at Starlight didn’t hear about the coffee shop on television or radio ads, they came to the store because of word-of-mouth referrals.
“You get more of a core-base and regulars doing it this way rather than customers just stopping by because you’re close and it’s convenient,” Zippen said.
Zippen says that the people of southern Indiana are a big reason why she came back to this area and why she enjoys working here.
“The comradery and hospitality of the people here. People here are generally good and they want to help. That’s part of what I want to bring to this shop,” Zippen said.
Zippen said that she thinks that people today are consumed with a fast-paced mentality where they are only focused on the results and not the experience. Zippen’s goal at the coffee shop is to provide the customer with the best experience at the shop that she can.
“It is important for people to take pride in their jobs,” Zippen said.
Zippen was proud to say that Starlight Coffee Co., a local business was expanding into another local business as well. Brooklyn and The Butcher will now carry Starlight Coffee. This will be the third shop in the New Albany area to carry their coffee.
Customers of Starlight Coffee are greeted with a warm smile and friendly service.
Heather Zippen has worked at Starlight for just over a year. She serves as the store manager and barista.
Zippen was born and raised in Ramsey, Indiana. After marrying a marine she traveled across the country with him and even went overseas when his deployment took him to Okinawa, Japan. During her 13-year marriage, Zippen spent 2 years in Okinawa, Japan, 5 years in Quantico, Virginia, and 6 years in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
After divorcing her husband she decided to come back to Southern Indiana because she says it is a great place to raise her family. Zippen says that the location of New Albany is very unique because you can experience a variety of cultures. For her, being from the small town of Ramsey, Indiana, New Albany is a city of many different faces. New Albany provides the big city culture of Louisville or Cincinnati, while still rural enough to keep a homegrown feel.
Zippen says that she loves her job at Starlight Coffee.
“It’s the best job that I’ve had. Just because you’re making people happy,” Zippen said.
The location of the store and the customers that it attracts appeal to her. She says that the location of the store is important to the feel of the shop because it isn’t in a prime real estate location.
“You don’t want something in the most populated areas. People want to go off the beaten path to get away,” Zippen said.
Zippen says that Starlight Coffee Co. functions a little differently from a larger chain coffee shop. The majority of the customers at Starlight didn’t hear about the coffee shop on television or radio ads, they came to the store because of word-of-mouth referrals.
“You get more of a core-base and regulars doing it this way rather than customers just stopping by because you’re close and it’s convenient,” Zippen said.
Zippen says that the people of southern Indiana are a big reason why she came back to this area and why she enjoys working here.
“The comradery and hospitality of the people here. People here are generally good and they want to help. That’s part of what I want to bring to this shop,” Zippen said.
Zippen said that she thinks that people today are consumed with a fast-paced mentality where they are only focused on the results and not the experience. Zippen’s goal at the coffee shop is to provide the customer with the best experience at the shop that she can.
“It is important for people to take pride in their jobs,” Zippen said.
Zippen was proud to say that Starlight Coffee Co., a local business was expanding into another local business as well. Brooklyn and The Butcher will now carry Starlight Coffee. This will be the third shop in the New Albany area to carry their coffee.
