Flight Crew Coffee, Manhattan’s newest coffee shop, arrives with character, complete with a vintage airline theme. This unique caffeine source has become a destination for locals and visitors alike. What started as merely an idea years prior, Heather Hnizdil brought her coffee shop to life in 2021.
Heather Hnizdil, pictured second from left, cuts ribbon for Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce.
Her love for coffee shops started long before her brick and mortar, though. “I worked at coffee shops throughout college and a little after, and I have always enjoyed how they become sort of a home away from home.”
She continues, “I’ve loved building friendships and being a happy part of people’s lives. I lived in some interesting places and tried many things but never really got my love for the coffee shop atmosphere out of my head, so when I moved back to America, I really started planning for it.” Much to her surprise, the opportunity to develop her coffee shop came much sooner than she expected.
With such a specific theme, it’s not uncommon for the question to arise: where did the idea for a vintage-airline themed coffee shop come from? “It’s hard to pinpoint exactly,” Heather explains, “I’ve been obsessed with flight and travel and bygone eras for a long time.” I’ve had the logo and name for at least 6 years as I was working with a jazz band in Taiwan and tried to convince them to change their band name to The Flight Crew. But they wouldn’t, so I kept it for myself thinking I would use it someday. And it really fits the idea of a coffee shop, I think. Because it’s about service and going above and beyond for those you serve. Or it should be, in my opinion.”
Flight Crew Coffee’s exterior on Downtown Poyntz, Manhattan, Kansas.
The Manhattan market is known for their numerous coffee shops, so when asked what sets Flight Crew apart, Heather integrates her personal outlook on life with the employees and culture. She speaks of the hiring process the what she seeks most in a new hire. “I am most interested in if you are a kind person who will treat everyone who walks through the door like they’re family. It’s the kind of world I believe in, so it might as well start with me and my business.” The culture of kindness has led to them “having regulars that already feel like friends.”
When asked to offer one piece of advice to another entrepreneur, Heather says, “Stick to your vision. Everyone is very quick to offer suggestions, but you have the ultimate say at the end of the day.” It’s safe to say that Flight Crew is a great example of what happens when someone has a strong vision and sticks to it.
Looking to the future, Heather hopes to “serve this community for as long as I can,” with the possibility of developing additional locations in other cities in the future.
Visit Flight Crew online at https://www.flightcrewcoffee.com and be sure to stop on by Flight Crew Coffee on Poyntz in Downtown Manhattan and experience it for yourself. No boarding passes required.
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