The Apple Stack Cake card in The Appalachian Spirit Deck celebrates the layers of community, inclusivity, and support that can be found in gathering spaces throughout Appalachia. The inspiration for this card draws from places like Native Bagel Company and Nightjar, both in one beloved space in Berea, KY, owned by Katie Startzman. She has created an environment where people from all walks of life can gather, share, and experience the warmth of Appalachian hospitality. Her entrepreneurial journey is a model of success for so many other small business owners, with whom she is generous with sharing her knowledge and time.

Katie’s work at Native Bagel and Nightjar goes beyond serving food and coffee; she’s fostering a welcoming environment where inclusivity is the foundation. Much like the layers of an Apple Stack Cake—each one contributing to the richness of the whole—Katie’s efforts contribute to a community where every individual’s presence adds something meaningful and nourishing. Her spaces embrace diversity and inclusion, representing the idea that when people come together, they create something far greater than the sum of their parts.

In honoring Appalachian traditions, Katie’s approach at Native Bagel and Nightjar reflects the values embedded in the Apple Stack Cake card. The cake, a symbol of family and community, mirrors the way these spaces in Berea function: offering connection, love, and an open door to all. These layers of support echo through the connections formed over meals, conversations, and shared experiences.

Other places across Appalachia, like The Wrigley Tap Room in Corbin, KY, Taco Holler by Ashley Bledsoe, City Lights Bookstore in Sylva, NC, Read Spotted Newt in Hazard, KY, and Taylor Books in West Virginia, also contribute to this growing network of inclusive and welcoming spaces. They inspire the idea that no matter your background, these communities will welcome you with open arms.

You can explore more about these spaces by checking out the Appalachian Spirit Inclusivity Map, a community-driven resource highlighting safe and inclusive spaces across the region. These places remind us that Appalachia is a rich tapestry of diversity, hospitality, and love—just like the layers of an Apple Stack Cake.