Supporting Local Businesses in a Volatile Economy
The owner of independent coffee shop East Dallas Middle Ground wrote on Instagram what a lot of her customers are thinking: “Every little bit helps” during a volatile economic climate.
Tariffs might spike the prices of imported coffee this summer, and the United States might be headed toward a recession. Middle Ground owner Tiffani Kocsis is removing the extra $1 charge for oat and coconut milk.
It’s a small move, but Kocsis hopes it’s meaningful, especially when a latte can cost $8 or more in Dallas.
“It’s a moment where everyone’s being stretched,” she said. “I’d rather make that stretch for our customers than lose them altogether.”
Understanding the Economic Climate
The current economic climate is uncertain, with tariffs and recession looming. This has led to increased costs for businesses and consumers alike. As a result, customers are looking for ways to save money without sacrificing quality.
Starbucks slashed prices on alt milks, on a much larger scale, in late 2024. However, for independent coffee shops like Middle Ground, the approach is different. Kocsis is focusing on small, meaningful changes to support her customers.
“Everyone’s being stretched,” said Middle Ground owner Tiffani Kocsis of the 2025 economic climate. She’s making moves to try to keep customers in a saturated coffee market.(dean xu)
The Importance of Community Support
For Kocsis, lowering prices for some customers’ lattes was less about Big Coffee and more about showing customers she understands the aftershock of inflation. And she wants regulars to keep coming back to her indie shop.
“We have people who come in every single day,” she said of her store on North Buckner Boulevard, near Lake Highlands, Forest Hills and Old East Dallas. She’s a teacher of 20 years who left education to become an entrepreneur.
“Everyone’s costs are going up,” she said. Lowering a price she can control “felt like the right thing to do.”
She prides herself on Middle Ground’s position in the neighborhood. It’s a work-from-home spot for people she’s come to know by name. It’s packed with moms and toddlers who can’t get to the park on rainy or scorching-hot days.
Creating a Welcoming Space
Customers can even reserve a room to host a meeting at Middle Ground if they don’t have an office of their own.
She sells food from four D-FW small businesses, showing her support of other indie operators. Middle Ground’s food menu includes Starship bagels, La Casita’s croissants, Haute Sweets Patisserie’s desserts and Baller Mom’s prepared salads.
Kocsis has recently been making small improvements to Middle Ground after the company reached its 1-year anniversary. She added a “little library,” and customers have already started swapping books. She plans to make the shop cozier by adding wallpaper to one wall — black cranes, to honor the birds that fly over White Rock Lake nearby.
Future Plans and Partnerships
The high-profile opening of Burger Schmurger, which shares a parking lot with Middle Ground, is likely to bring more customers to Kocsis’ corner of East Dallas.
To stoke interest later in the afternoon, Kocsis might stay open past 3 p.m. by partnering with a North Texas ice cream shop to offer a sweet treat on hot summer afternoons. She is in talks with a music school to rent the space in the evenings.
Kocsis’ business already survived its first year. The next challenge is keeping customers during a looming recession. Maybe thinking small will have big results, she said. Saving a buck on oat milk or finding a calm community space on a rainy day? Perhaps those matter.
Conclusion
“The more comfortable we can make it, the better,” she said.
East Dallas Middle Ground is at 718 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas.
FAQs
Q: What is Middle Ground coffee shop doing to support customers during the economic climate?
A: Middle Ground is removing the extra $1 charge for oat and coconut milk to help customers save money.
Q: Why is Middle Ground making these changes?
A: Middle Ground wants to show customers that they understand the aftershock of inflation and want to support them during a difficult time.
Q: What else is Middle Ground doing to create a welcoming space?
A: Middle Ground is making small improvements, such as adding a “little library” and partnering with local businesses to offer food and other services.
Q: How can customers support Middle Ground and other local businesses?
A: Customers can support Middle Ground by continuing to visit and purchase from the shop, as well as by spreading the word about the business and its efforts to support the community.
