f you’ve ever strolled through downtown Mooresville, you might’ve passed by a little spot with a big heart: Richard’s Coffee Shop, also known as the Welcome Home Veterans Living Military Museum. But calling it just a coffee shop doesn’t do it justice. This place is part hangout, part history lesson, part healing ground — and all about honoring those who’ve served.

It all started with Richard Warren, a Vietnam combat pilot who poured his love of country (and coffee) into Pat’s Gourmet Coffee Shop. After his passing in 2009, his legacy lived on through Richard’s Coffee Shop, where every wall tells a story and every cup of coffee comes with a side of camaraderie.

Step inside and you’ll find more than caffeine. Veterans of every era — WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond — gather here to swap stories, share laughs, and heal in ways only fellow service members can understand. Thursdays bring free coffee and crowds of 100+ veterans, while Saturdays turn into jam sessions with live music ranging from bluegrass to patriotic classics.

And don’t miss the Book of Honor, filled with nearly 9,000 veteran signatures from around the world. Each new signer gets a handmade beaded keychain — a small but powerful symbol of their service and sacrifice.

The “Living” part of the museum is in those daily conversations, in the school programs, in the stories that get passed down. The “Military Museum” lives in the artifacts donated by the very people who used them — priceless reminders of duty, sacrifice, and love of country.

So next time you’re in Mooresville, stop by Richard’s. It’s not just a place to grab a cup of joe — it’s a place to say thank you, to remember, and to feel the heartbeat of a community that never forgets.