The Heart Behind Your Morning Brew!
Meet Britni Birchell-Woolley
Britni is the proud owner and operator of Common Grounds. A beloved local coffee shop with two locations in the heart of Petersburg, Alaska. After opening her shops, she saw the chance to take her passion a step further and purchased Alaska Island Coffee Roasting from its original founder. What began as a vision for gathering has evolved into a shared experience. From the conversations in the shop, to the care behind the roast, to the comfort of the cup in your hands. Rooted in her deep Southeast Alaskan heritage, Britni has built more than businesses; she’s created places that bring people together, celebrate community, and share the bold flavors of the coast with coffee lovers near and far.
Born and raised in Petersburg, Britni has always been fueled by community, coffee, and a deep connection to the land and sea. Whether she’s volunteering on the board of the Petersburg Humane Association, camping, adventuring, hunting, or rescuing animals, her roots in Alaska run deep and so does her passion for sharing that spirit with others.
With over 16 years of experience roasting coffee and a recent certification from the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), Britni brings a skilled, thoughtful touch to every roast. What started as a personal pursuit has grown into a mission: to serve high-quality coffee with meaning, both at home and beyond.
At Common Grounds, she’s created spaces where locals and visitors alike can feel at home and fueled for the day. Through Alaska Island Coffee, she’s sharing the flavors and values of her hometown with customers across the country.
"Reel friends share coffee and stories!"
A Little Start to Common Ground...
In Petersburg, Alaska, a town built on tides, fishing boats, and early mornings. Britni saw something missing. Coffee wasn’t just fuel here, it was tradition: the mug in your hands before heading out on the water, the comfort after a long day, the excuse to gather and catch up. With that in mind, she founded what is now known as Common Grounds, dreaming of a space where people could grab a cup and truly connect. She teamed up with a local roaster who helped bring her vision to life with quality and consistency. When the time was right, Britni bought the roasting business and dove headfirst into learning the craft herself, ensuring every batch carried both skill and heart.
When the first Common Grounds opened, it quickly became part of the daily rhythm of Petersburg. Fishermen swung by before sunrise, tourists stopped in before whale watching, and neighbors lingered over conversations that might have been missed otherwise. The shop wasn’t flashy, it was familiar, woven into the pulse of island life. Every bag of beans, every latte, every story traded across the counter carried a little bit of Southeast Alaska with it.
“Common Grounds is excellent for those in a hurry to fish or whale watch in Alaska.”
The success of Common Grounds didn’t come from marketing plans or big-city strategies. It came from community. Locals spread the word, visitors returned again and again, and soon one small shop wasn’t enough. With encouragement and support, Britni expanded to a second location, making sure that no matter where your day takes you, the docks, the harbor, or a quiet walk through town, a warm, high-quality cup of coffee is never far away.