Community Highlights: Meet Tiffani Kocsis of East Dallas Middle Ground

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffani Kocsis

Hi Tiffani, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I spent 20 years in education teaching and as an administrator. After covid, everything was just so tough – we were all exhausted and taking a lot from all sides. With some serious consideration and lots of encouragement, I decided to pursue the long time dream of owning a coffee shop and that’s how EDMG came to be.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Jumping into small business ownership from a completely unrelated field was (and continues to be) very difficult. At every turn I was learning a new language, new finances, new processes and expectations. To be honest, I kept waiting for my boss to come tell me what to do until I would remember “oh no, I’m the boss now… this is terrible!” I’d say the worst part of it all was permitting and understanding all the disappointments and delays and waiting (so much waiting) that comes with managing that process. The whole experience from leasing to construction and outfitting a fully functioning coffee shop was completely overwhelming but I had a lot of incredible support from family and friends to other small business owners in East Dallas. They really embraced the idea and helped keep me upright during the whole thing. And this was even before we started thinking about coffee! Opening the doors in April was surreal and when one of my best friends walked through the door determined to be the first customer, I lost it… then the customers appeared all day long.

We’ve been impressed with East Dallas Middle Ground, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
East Dallas Middle Ground is a neighborhood coffeeshop. We don’t have dreams of taking over the world, or drive thrus, or anything like that. The goal from the beginning was to serve great coffee in a welcoming, warm, and approachable experience. Too often craft coffee becomes snobbish where you get looked down on for your order or if you don’t know all the terminology. That’s not us – we have really really great coffee offerings, complex flavors (orange cardamom, white rose have been staples from the beginning), a superior tea program, and great local food. However we also like to be playful with our menu (currently we’re running pie lattes to celebrate fall: apple pie chai, blackberry pie, pumpkin pie, and chocolate pecan pie lattes) and just want our customers to be satisfied. Our baristas are incredibly well trained coming from some of the best shops in Dallas, but they are kind, approachable, and love chatting with our regulars and our first-timers.
Another thing that is unique about us is that everything we use is local or if we can’t get it local we only buy from small businesses. Local vendors that we use include: Lubbies Bagels, La Casita Bakeshop, Baller Mom Kitchen, White Rock Granola, Milk & Patience yogurt, Haute Sweets Patisserie, Rakkasan Tea, and Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters. The quality you get from these companies is unmatched and the relationships we’ve made are incredible.
As part of our mission to be a part of the community, we try to make a difference in a variety of ways. We’re working with local schools for spirit morning fundraisers, have run a food drive for Feed Lake Highlands, and are currently running a sock collection for Socktober East Dallas. On Sundays, we host a local artisan in one of our work rooms so they can sell their items and gain a little exposure, We aren’t making their businesses take off, but we want to support the people in East Dallas that make it great. We’ve had everything from jewelry to cinnamon rolls to pet treats to crochet and we’re hosting a vendor market on Dec 15th for the holidays.
As for the space, we have a few unique features: first are our work rooms. We have two (8ppl, 6ppl) that we’ve outfitted with a TV for mirroring and a white board). These rooms can be reserved online for a minimal fee. Additionally, and probably our most popular feature, is our really large kids playroom that has books, games, a tv, and lots of other things to do. There are couches for parents to sit and chat with each other. This might scare some folks off who like to read/work in a shop, but it’s in a back corner of the space with the bar separating from the main space. You can’t hear any of the giggles and squeals unless you’re back there.
We’re honestly just a small shop trying to make it in a big economy that favors chain stores. We love the neighborhood and appreciate how so many have embraced us whole-heartedly. We like the stories and the personalities that we hear/see every day and can’t wait for more of it all!

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
To accept help. I’m definitely more inclined to just do things myself and never ask for help, but there were times along this road that I just couldn’t do it. People were so willing to jump in and take things on for me and I’m forever grateful. That experience taught me just to ask because most folks you’re willing to ask are more than willing to say yes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.eastdallasmiddleground.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eastdallasmiddleground/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/East-Dallas-Middle-Ground/61556665181464/
• Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffani-kocsis-ed-d-9846a5a0/

Image Credits
April Barnes Photography
Dean Xu