Uprising is located at 1817 7th St NW. (Nkechi Nnorom)
Bacon, eggs and cheese are all common breakfast items. Christian Benjamin, who hails from Prince George’s County Maryland, is a fan of all those food products. In fact, Benjamin indulges in Uprising Muffin Company’s twist on the staple breakfast items. Uprising has its very own bacon, egg and cheese muffin. The muffin is one of their hottest items. Sometimes, customers have to call ahead to ensure that they get a muffin.
But for those who may not be so lucky, Uprising has many other delicious choices. Located adjacent to the Shaw/Howard U Metro station stands Uprising Muffin Company. The business recently celebrated the 2-year anniversary of its doors’ opening to the public. D.C. residents have been feasting on Uprising’s variety of luscious goodies since April 11, 2014.
Uprising café was built on the inspiration and love of muffins of Donnie Simpson Jr. Simpson is the son of longtime WPGC-FM (95.5) host Donnie Simpson. The café is located at 1817 Seventh St. NW.
The fast-paced business offers daily made from scratch muffins, including the traditional blueberry muffin all the way to the tropical pina colada. Each muffin contains less than 10 ingredients. Furthermore, the café serves grab-and-go sandwiches and salads, along with coffee and espresso drinks. Not only is the coffee roasted locally in small batches, but also the milk for the lattes are raised from hormone-free local cows. Additionally, Uprising caters and delivers seven days a week.
“I saw the donut craze, the cupcake craze, and I’m a big fan of donuts and cupcakes, but there was another pastry that I personally love that hadn’t been done quite on the same level,” Simpson commented to Rebecca Cooper of the Washington Business Journal. “So we put together a muffin shop … to really make the muffins the star of a show.”
Simpson, a 39-year-old Rockville father of two, had initial aspirations of following in his father’s footsteps in the radio industry. Beginning as an intern, Simpson had risen in the ranks, producing his father’s show until both him and his father left the station in 2010.
“Who has time to wait for their favorite song to play when they can hear their favorite song play on Spotify right now?” Simpson Jr. said. “So radio didn’t seem to me to have too good of a future,” said Simpson in a Washington Post article.
After having a “light bulb” moment, the younger Simpson began planning his four-year business venture. He took a job at Starbucks in Olney, Md. to learn the ins and outs of customer service. With his father’s start-up capital and frequent taste testing, Simpson was able to break ground.
“D.J. has that entrepreneurial spirit that I always wish I had,” Simpson Sr. remarked in a statement to the Post. “I’ve told him so many times that I was always jealous when people would come by my house, Smith & Sons Plumbers, or whatever — they had businesses they could pass down to their kids. For me, you can’t pass down popularity.’”
According to the Post, Simpson Jr. said he imagined a place where customers might start their morning with a muffin and coffee and return to get a quick wrap or sandwich at lunch. Uprising is open Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and on Sunday 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Hence, the early morning to early evening hours allow office workers to make a pit-stop for a muffin and coffee before hopping on the train.
“Our customers are really diverse, but we mostly attract office workers,” said worker Lionel Coleman.
Coleman, 27, has been employed at Uprising for a little over 19 months. He prides the business’ success on Simpson’s work ethic and dedication.
“It starts with his time, energy, and effort. In order to stay afloat, you have to have the best product,” said Coleman. Most people, who love something, don’t put their all into it. But, he puts everything into it.”
Benjamin, mentioned earlier, routinely frequents the business because of its close proximity to his workplace.
“It’s a good place to get work done out of the office,” said Benjamin.
After reading online about the business, Kit Schaeffer, who traveled from Mont Vernon Square, decided to see what the hype was about.
“This is my third time coming to Uprising. When I am at home, I often get distracted, so I like to get out of the house and come here,” stated Schaeffer.
As the business continues to grow, Uprising hopes draw the younger community, specifically Howard University students.
“We are still trying to figure out how to attract more college students,” added Coleman. “We are reaching out to Howard and the community. Howard alumni order from us, so that helps.”
Simpson Jr.’s four-year venture has turned into an overnight excess. From the savory muffins to the recently added paninis to the fresh roast coffee, Uprising is an example of a business that can only rise to new heights.
“I mean, it is in our namesake. We can’t go anywhere but up from here,” said Coleman.
The Uprising Muffin Company’s motto “rise up” is simple yet powerful. Stamped across the business’ exterior glass windows, the transcending phrase grabs the eye of the curious passerby who has never once stepped into the Shaw business or it maybe a common sighting for a frequent customer, who is consistently lured by the company’s fresh bakery eateries and assortment of coffee drinks.
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