Jason Rounds
Jason Rounds worked in finance and accounting, but then COVID-19 hit, and he lost his job.
Sometimes, though, these twists of fate are, as painter Bob Ross would say, “happy accidents.” Rounds decided, rather than wallowing in self-pity, or applying for another position in the same field, to pursue his dream.
“I’d been thinking about it for a decade,” said Rounds, who, in his younger years, had also worked as a barista.
The dream brought Rounds to Lemoyne, via The Real Estate Exchange.
“I found the perfect place online,” said the New York native.
Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of coffee and a personality that makes strangers feel at home, Rounds opened Consciousness Coffee in Lemoyne Square Plaza.
Rounds came up with the moniker to remind himself that everything he does is a conscious effort to help people in some way, whether it be by promoting local artists, helping small businesses by hosting popups, or selling socially equitable products that make others’ lives better, one item at a time.
For now, Rounds is relying on word-of-mouth to drive people to the place that once housed a Subway sandwich shop. And it’s evident that they’re taking notice, especially makers who have brought in T-shirts, earrings, paintings and more, hoping to get exposure and perhaps a few sales from those who come in for a hot cup of Joe.
Locally Sourced
Rounds sells drinks that one would typically see in a coffee shop, from macchiatos to espressos, flat whites and lattes, chai teas and matcha—ceremonial grade, of course.
“It has been used for at least 1,000 years by monks to meditate,” said Rounds.
If you have any questions, Rounds has a ready answer. Wonder whether a latte with a lavender infusion has more caffeine than a flat white? He’ll not only know but will also share where the flat white originated. Rounds sources local beans from The Lonely Monk in Lemoyne and Harrisburg-based Little Amps.
In the interest of community, Rounds also hosts pop-ups where small businesses like Mechanicsburg-based Massimo’s Bakery and Millersburg-based Jackie’s Snackies get more exposure.
“We like to highlight local products for people to pair with their coffee,” Rounds said.
Rounds also offers a selection of Mezcla puff-crispy bars with 10 grams of plant protein for a healthy snack. Other products include Shokan, N.Y.-based Fruition chocolate bars to help support the education system in Tanzania, Mission Chocolate out of Sao Paulo, Brazil, to help with women’s education and self-sustainability, and Raaka, a Brooklyn-based company whose chocolate is organic, vegan and transparently traded.
Rounds’ goal is to grow into a community hub.
“A lot of people who come in experience unsafe home environments, food insecurity, housing insecurity, and so on,” said Rounds, adding that he also carries products for the neurodivergent like fidget toys from the Neurodiverse Network.
Rounds also wants to be a haven for healthcare workers, who use both traditional and alternative practices like Reiki, for instance.
Alex Bobolsky is a healthcare worker and a regular customer who stopped in recently for a cup of matcha.
“It’s usually sugary,” he said. “This is not, so I like it quite a bit.”
Bobolsky sometimes orders two drinks at once. He said that a latte and an Americano start his day on the right note. He also recommends the mocha, declaring it the best he’s ever had.
“The coffee draws me in, but the experience keeps me around,” he said.
Interconnected
For Rounds, the future looks bright. He envisions more pop-ups to promote small businesses, in addition to open mic nights, yoga, dance and macramé classes and Dungeons & Dragons game night.
“I’d also like to host a fundraiser for Friedrich’s Ataxia Research Alliance for my uncle,” he said. “Ataxia is a degenerative neurological disease.”
At some point, Rounds wants to bring together representatives from a host of organizations to raise awareness about their respective causes. He said that any additional plans that come to fruition will just be icing on the cake.
“Seeing people from all different predicaments find interconnectedness in an environment that represents art, culture and community gives me hope,” he said.
He added that none of it would be possible without local business owners supplying products they’re passionate about.
“Seeing them benefit from this space and knowing that we’re growing together means the world,” he said.
Consciousness Coffee is located at 1 Lemoyne Square, Lemoyne. For more information, visit www.consciousness.coffee or the Facebook page.
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