POCATELLO — A Logan coffee shop owner who offers a place for those in mental health crisis to safely store their firearms has recently expanded, opening a second location in Pocatello on South Fifth Avenue.
Jamie Buttars, the owner of Cache Coffee, said the Logan location has been open for five years. He said that in addition to making coffee, his shop is a strong advocate for mental health.
“Down in Logan, we have a nonprofit for mental health,” he said.
Buttars said the Cache Coffee location in Logan has a gun safe that he uses to store weapons for people with mental health problems who don’t feel comfortable keeping them.
“We’ve been doing it in Logan for about four years now,” he said. “We’ve had veterans bring their weapons.”
Buttars said the first person to ask him to store a gun was a veteran. He said he didn’t want to take the gun home with him, so he asked around for a gun safe. He eventually had some donated to him.
“The first safe was donated by the Marine Corps League Auxiliary and Al’s Sporting Goods in Logan,” he said.
Buttars said the Pocatello location will also have a gun safe for anyone who doesn’t feel safe with their weapons. He said he hopes to bring more mental health advocacy to Pocatello.
“We just do a ton with mental health,” he said. “We’re trying to bring that here as much as possible.”
Buttars said anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable with their weapons are welcome to bring them to him. He said if they ever want it back, they just have to come in and ask for it.
“They just let me know they’re bringing it,” he said. “Sometimes they just come and say ‘can I drop this off?’ They just need to make sure they’re leaving it with someone of age.”
Buttars said the weapons are safe in the shop because they are locked in a safe. He said he is also trying to help the people who bring him weapons get in touch with someone who can help them.
“I’ve been trying to make connections with the Psychology Department at ISU,” he said. “If people do send us weapons, I can send them to people who can help them.”
Buttars said Cache Coffee has been open for three weeks in Pocatello. It offers a variety of coffees and sodas and other drinks. He said the shop has a drive-thru, a walkup window and outdoor seating.
“We have dog treats for the pet owners,” he said. “We do a lot with service dogs in Cache Valley.”
Buttars said his shop has been successful so far in Pocatello. He said there has been a lot of interest and he keeps meeting more and more customers and the people have been friendly.
“We’re getting busier and busier every day,” he said. “Everyone I’ve met is really nice.”
Buttars said his favorite part about owning a coffee shop is interacting with his customers. He said he loves getting to know each of them, even if the shop only having a drive-thru makes it more difficult.
“We always say that we don’t have customers, we have family,” he said.
Buttars said he hopes to work with nonprofit organizations in the community to improve mental health. He said he has already reached out to several organizations, including the Bannock Humane Society.
“I’m trying to work with other nonprofits to do an event and help get dogs adopted,” he said. “I’m just trying to find other organizations to work with.”
Cache Coffee is located at 1550 South Fifth Avenue in Pocatello. More information about them can be found on their website at cachecoffeeandmore.com .
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