Nestled in the quaint downtown of Boulder City is a coffee shop that is much more than just a place to get your morning cup of java. Dam Roast House & Browder Bookstore inhabits the historic Browder building on Nevada Way and proudly offers a thoughtfully curated menu of drinks and eats to satisfy any dietary needs. Touting a menu chock full of locally sourced and organically grown ingredients, the Dam Roast House also aims to highlight and amplify other small businesses and local artists and authors.
“We believe in community, not competition!” is a mantra that is proudly displayed on their website.
This Boulder City independent business combines locally sourced coffee, tasty bakery treats, and an assortment of books in a neighborhood cafe with a friendly boutique vibe. Not only do they celebrate other small businesses and give local authors an artistic platform, but they also prioritize the wellness of their employees.
“This topic hits close to home for us. We just want to be a part of the healing process and journey,” said co-owner Amber Stephens.
“We want to support our community and while doing so help get rid of the stigma that surrounds a lot of people going through this tough phase of their lives. At the end of the day, we are all human and we just want to build each other up!”
The Dam Roast House & Browder Bookstore recently became designated as a Recovery Friendly Workplace (RFW) by the Governor’s Office.
“The Foundation for Recovery did a wellness class with our team. They spoke to us about mental health and different ways to cope with it yourself and also recognize it in other people such as co-workers, family & friends,” Stephens said.
“This helps to get rid of the stigma that surrounds people who are struggling. It is normal and you don’t have to do it alone. This program helps out employees in so many ways. We truly are a family here.”
The RFW Initiative, which is facilitated through the statewide recovery community organization Foundation for Recovery, empowers employers to implement recovery-friendly practices within the workplace and provide support for employees in recovery or those impacted by substance use disorder (SUD).
And Dam Roast House is here to embrace its workers’ overall wellness.
One of the best parts about becoming a RFW through the Foundation for Recovery has been something that is at the heart of the Roast House’s mission – community outreach.
The Dam Roast House proudly displays an “Anonymous Support Box,” which has resources for people with SUD or those with a problematic relationship with substances, along with a life-saving nasal spray (Narcan) and fentanyl test strips. This support box is a ‘Shame Free Zone’ and is one of the many resources offered to designated businesses through the RFW Initiative.
“We get a lot of people asking about this box and we explain to them why we have it and in turn teach them about the issues our community faces. It’s been eye-opening for a lot of people,” Stephens explained.
The RFW Initiative intends to promote individual wellness by creating an environment that nurtures the mental and physical well-being of employees, and this is done by proactively supporting recovery from SUD in the workplace and the community.
“The process to become a designated RFW is simple and super powerful. “The initial class we took was very eye-opening. We all cried at least once because it hits close to home for a lot of people,” Stephens explained.
“I think just learning the signs of mental health and addiction was very helpful and great information for everyone to know. I wasn’t expecting this process to be so emotional, in a good way!”
If you are interested in experiencing Dam Roast House & Broward Bookstore in downtown Boulder City, check out their website, reach out via email at damroasthousebc@gmail.com, call 702.803.7332, or simply head to Nevada Way in Boulder City to grab a Cinnamon Toast Latte, Vegan Smorgas, and a rare book title from 5:30 am to 5 pm daily.
If you are interested in learning more about encouraging healthy and safe working environments where employers, employees, and communities collaborate to create positive change, click here to read about the Nevada Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative.
Stephens has ZERO regrets about becoming a RFW.
“All the ‘work’ you have to put into to be a part of the program is 100% worth your time and effort. You’ve got nothing to lose and so much to gain!”
Stephens and the other employees at Dam Roast House & Browder Bookstore are very happy to be part of the Recovery Friendly Workplace Initiative.
“Working with the Foundation for Recovery has been amazing,” Stephens said. “They are very quick to respond to any questions or information we need. We’ve all learned so much and are so grateful to be a part of it!”
