Tami Donaldson’s Kunjani Coffee, soon to open near Safeway in Falcon, will partner with The Retired Enlisted Association Pikes Peak area chapter to help veterans transition from military service to the private sector.Kunjani was originally scheduled to open in August, but issues with build-out inspections have held up the grand opening. Donaldson said the delays appear to be ending soon. ìIt’s going good now; we’re trying for a mid December open,î she said. ìWe just got over the plumbing inspection, and the rest should be easy.îTREA’s mission is to provide a way to maintain the esprit de corps among uniformed enlisted personnel and to stop the erosion of earned benefits through legislative efforts, according to the local chapter’s website. The local chapter has 1,750 members. The organization sponsors bingo for the public, scholarship programs for children and grandchildren of members and a lounge and card room for members.Donaldson said she has been a member for a couple years and is now the club manager for their facility on Emory Circle in Colorado Springs. ìI’m trying to help with sustainability to keep the club active, improve public relations, and help bridge the gap between the members of the World War II and Vietnam eras with those of the 9/11 era,î she said.There is no official connection between TREA and Kunjani, she said. ìBut we can help support veterans with their transition both in the coffee shop or in TREA,î she said.
