Rhody Gem: Fundati
By Karen Greco, Hey Rhody
What it is:
Fundati is a specialty coffee shop that offers house-roasted coffee, tea, quick bites, brewing equipment, and a variety of products from local small businesses.
Where to find it:
Off the Old Louisquisset Pike exit on 146, find this brewhouse next to Lincoln Woods. Look for the sign with an elephant balancing a coffee cup on its trunk.
What makes it a Rhody Gem:
Find your Fundati at this cheerful Lincoln coffee shop, whose name comes from the Latin word meaning “to be grounded.” “To us, this means being grounded in the moment, to always fresh-grind our beans for brewing, and to consume whole foods, ones with as few steps as possible from the ground to us,” explains owner Alicia DeCastro. Sustainability is also part of their ethos. The first coffee shop in Rhode Island to own a bellwether – a zero emission coffee roaster – Fundati ethically sources their beans from small farms across the world. A variety of house-made baked goods, workout fuel like power balls and overnight oats, and hand-crafted breakfast and lunch sandwiches offer sustenance, while their customer-facing pour-over bar, and cafe space encourage community and conversation. “Moments of stillness and pause are much needed in everyone’s day,” says DeCastro. “We want to return to the roots of cafe culture, create a social space for community, and experience our present environment together.”
