Conservative coffee shop aims to provide alternative to 'typical liberal American coffee establishments'

Cliff Gephart told Orlando Weekly that he got fired up last year after a barista booted police from a Starbucks in Arizona because a customer didn't feel safe.

Afterward, the hashtag "#DumpStarbucks" went viral, but Gephart told the paper he and John Tatum had a better idea: Open a politically and socially conservative coffee shop — a place where customers can discuss their points of view and wear their "Make America Great Again" gear without fear of reprisal.

With that, Conservative Grounds coffee shop was born — and it's opening this Saturday in Largo, Florida, the Orlando Weekly said.

What are the details?

The shop's Twitter bio says it's "a place where rational, conservative, moral, God loving people congregate without the scourge of liberalism."

"Conservative Grounds was created to be an alternative to the typical liberal American coffee establishments. ... We support Law Enforcement, the Military, MAGA hats, the 2nd Amendment, Pro-Life, God, and traditional way of life," the shop's About Us page indicates.

The paper added that besides a selection of coffees and espressos, the shop sports a replica of the White House's Oval Office, cardboard cutouts of President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, Fox News on the televisions, and welcome signs for concealed carry holders.

More from Orlando Weekly:

Conservative Grounds also features a large "Wall of Honor" that will soon be covered in signatures of both veterans and active military personnel. And if you're a "Gold Star Parent" — the mother or father of a member of the U.S Armed Forces who has died in battle — you get free coffee from Conservative Grounds for life.

Gephart also told the paper that customers from all backgrounds are welcome at Conservative Grounds, and that the shop's investors are diverse in terms of race, gender, and sexual orientation.

The owners note on the website that they "will be aggressively opening locations throughout 2020."