For many students, juggling schoolwork and part-time jobs can be a challenge, but for one local student, working at his family’s coffee shop has been a unique and rewarding experience. Calder Albrecht (11) works Saturdays at SIP Coffeebar, a cozy neighborhood spot in the Northeast, where he helps with orders and even crafts lattes.
Calder Albrecht, a junior, works only one day a week, but the weekend shift comes with its challenges.
“Since I only work Saturdays, it sometimes encourages my procrastination, leaving all my schoolwork for Sunday,” he admits. “But everything always ends up alright, so balancing the two isn’t terrible.”
On the days Albercht works alongside his mom making the atmosphere calm and comfortable. However, it’s not all casual just because the owner is his mom; there are still responsibilities to fulfill, and she pays him at the end of the day.
Sometimes she offers to cover his shift if something comes up, and other times she calls him over to help with orders. Their working relationship is much closer and more personal than a typical employee-employer dynamic.
The experience has taught him valuable lessons beyond just the daily grind. “The most important thing I’ve learned from working here is a lot about responsibility, and what a typical retail job entails, but more importantly, how to make a good latte. Many other skills that you would get from a usual job apply here, so the thing that stands out to me is making drinks.”
Balancing work and school isn’t without challenges. “Working takes away from a lot of my free time during the week and time to focus on school,” he explained. “But I don’t want other students to disregard working; it can open up opportunities for further work or education with the money earned, and it’s definitely worth it if you have the time.”
Being part of a family-owned business has shaped his outlook on the future. “It opened me up to the possibility of being an entrepreneur,” Albercht said. “I doubt I would have considered business if I hadn’t been part of my mom’s shop. It’s made managing a small business seem way more possible and less out of reach.”
For those interested in experiencing the atmosphere and enjoying a latte made by Albercht, he invites you to visit: “Please stop by—it would be greatly appreciated. I work on Saturdays (though maybe not for the next couple of weeks), and if you’d like, I’d be happy to make you a latte.”
SIP Coffeebar is a welcoming spot in Northeast Minneapolis, offering more than just coffee—it’s a place where family, work, and learning blend seamlessly.
