Michael Amouri, founder of Caffè Amouri on Church Street in Vienna, died at home the weekend of Sept. 12 after a three-year fight with lung cancer.

The coffeehouse announced his death in a Facebook post Saturday, Sept. 12, describing Amouri as someone who loved life and was a tireless promoter of community.

Amouri opened the shop at 107 Church St. NE in July 2010, leaving behind a production career that included stints at WETA-TV and Discovery Communications. He launched the business within blocks of two Starbucks locations, two years after the 2008 recession.

He told Patch in 2016 that he had dreamed of opening "the coolest coffeehouse ever" since college and started drafting a business plan decades into his TV career. His mother's death helped push him to act. She believed a good life was defined by what you leave behind for others, according to FFXnow, and Amouri wanted deeper roots in the town he had called home since 1985.

Caffè Amouri hosted open-mic nights, the annual Vienna Idol competition and charitable fundraisers. During the pandemic, it introduced a pay-it-forward program that let customers buy a drink for a future patron.

Amouri also coached youth sports and served on the Vienna Business Association board.

Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert's mother, former Mayor Jane Seeman, was in office when Amouri moved into the Church Street space. Colbert wrote on Facebook Saturday, Sept. 12: "We were so excited to have a coffee shop in Vienna! … I will be praying for you and for our community for this great loss."

Fairfax County School Board member Melanie Meren, who represents the Hunter Mill District, also wrote on Facebook. "You will be remembered for what you created and shared," Meren said.

On Aug. 22, Amouri disclosed that he was again undergoing cancer treatment. He announced he was handing ownership to three employees, including his daughter and roastmaster Nicki Amouri. He said the new owners would "do an outstanding job maintaining standards of Quality, Community, Sustainability, and Knowledge."

Caffè Amouri will remain open at 107 Church St. NE, serving coffee and baked goods Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.