Overview:
The Rise Up Coffee House in Alto, Texas, has become a local beacon of connection and creativity. Founded by Michael and Amanda Lawson, the shop not only revived a long-empty downtown building but also reignited the town’s community spirit through music nights, charity efforts, and everyday kindness.
By Stephany Reese | Presence News
If you drive down Main Street in Alto, Texas, you might miss it at first glance — a small brick building with a simple sign and the scent of espresso drifting onto the sidewalk. But inside The Rise Up Coffee House, you’ll find more than caffeine. You’ll find connection, laughter, and a story about two people determined to bring their hometown back together, one cup at a time.
Owners
When Michael and Amanda Lawson opened The Rise Up Coffee House last year, they had no idea how much the town needed it.
“We just wanted a quiet spot where folks could grab a good cup of coffee and feel welcome,” Amanda said with a smile, wiping her hands on a flour-dusted apron. “But it’s become something a lot bigger than that.”
The couple, both lifelong residents of Alto, opened their doors in what used to be an abandoned hardware store. The space had sat empty for nearly a decade. It was a quiet reminder of the town’s fading downtown. But with reclaimed wood tables, local art on the walls, and a hand-painted mural reading “Rise Up Together,” the Lawsons transformed it into a warm, buzzing centerpiece of community life.
Live music
Every Friday night, the café fills with music as local teens strum guitars, poets read their verses, and families linger over dessert long after sunset.
“It’s become the heartbeat of Alto,” said longtime resident Janice Turner, who stops by daily for her caramel latte. “You walk in, and you can feel the joy. We needed that again.”
The Lawsons’ goal was never just profit — it was people. They’ve partnered with local schools to provide after-school job opportunities. They regularly host donation drives for families in need. During the holidays, their “Coffee for a Cause” campaign donates a portion of every drink sold toward community projects. These include refurbishing the local park and helping the volunteer fire department.
Quotes
“There’s something about coffee that brings people together,” Michael said, glancing at the crowd gathered around the counter. “You start with a drink, and before you know it, you’ve built friendships, support networks, and even hope.”
For Alto — a town often overshadowed by larger neighboring cities — The Rise Up Coffee House isn’t just a new business. It’s proof that small-town dreams can still bloom, even in the most unexpected places.
As Amanda refilled a customer’s cup, she smiled and said,
“We called it Rise Up because that’s what we want Alto to do — rise up, together.”
And maybe that’s what this little shop really serves best — not just coffee, but community.
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