Forza Coffee Company has announced that its Parkland Cafe will re-open on Sat., Dec 12 at 8:14 a.m. The coffee house, located at 11401 Steele Street South, was closed after four Lakewood Police officers — Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39, and officers Ronald Owen, 37, Tina Griswold, 40, and Greg Richards, 42 — were killed on Nov. 29 at 8:14 a.m.
“We are encouraging customers to visit the Steele Street store this week,” said Brad Carpenter, CEO of Forza Coffee Company, and a former police officer. “We will be focusing on the love expressed by the sacrifices of the officers in their selfless act, as well as the love expressed in the memorials, well wishes and prayers. We encourage the community to keep the families of Sgt. Renninger and Officers Griswold, Owens and Richards in their prayers, as well as all law enforcement families.”
According to a statement released today, Associated Ministries performed their tradition of a Moment of Blessing at the coffee cafe on Thurs., Dec. 10 “to reclaim that space as a place for life.” Afterwards, during a private ceremony in the cafe for the officers’ families, Lakewood Police officers and the Forza staff, an overwhelming decision was made to re-open the cafe. The police officers and families of the four officers expressed their desire to re-open to demonstrate that hate will not win. In support of this decision, Lakewood Police Chief Bret Farrar has requested the opportunity to be the first customer served at the reopening on Saturday morning.
Additionally, plaques will be placed at all stores in memory of the four Lakewood officers and fallen Seattle Police officer Tim Brenton. Every new Forza location in the United States in the future will always open for business on the first day at exactly 8:14 a.m. The first beverage and first customer will be a representative of the local law enforcement community.
Donations for the Lakewood Police Independent Guild to benefit the families of the fallen officers will be accepted on the Forza Web site until Jan. 1, 2010. Visit http://www.ForzaCoffeeCompany.com .
