12 Coffee Houses in 8 States Joined the Crimson Cup Community in 2014
April 28, 2023 (Published: January 9, 2015)
2014 was a great year for independent coffee houses! We were excited to see steady growth in the number of entrepreneurs interested in learning how to open their own independent coffee business.
We welcomed 12 new coffee houses in 8 states to our growing community of independent coffee shops, cafés and bakeries. All of the business owners completed our 7 Steps to Coffee Shop Success coffee franchise alternative program. Based on Greg’s book, “Seven Steps to Success in the Specialty Coffee Industry,” the program teaches entrepreneurs everything needed to run a successful coffee house, from developing a business plan to choosing a location to hiring and managing staff. Comprehensive, hands-on training gets each coffee house off to a great start.
Crates Coffee House in Lake Orion, Michigan kicked off the year with its Jan. 18 opening at 1472 S. Lapeer Road. Owner Andrea Rank named her shop after a family heirloom – an old coffee crate that had been passed down through the generations.
“Working with Crimson Cup step by step made it easy for us,” she said. “It’s hard work being an owner, but we love it!”
At The Well Coffee House, which opened Jan. 21, volunteers serve handcrafted coffee for a cause to travelers through South Station train terminal in Boston, Massachusetts.
It is an outgrowth of The Church @ the Well, a nondenominational Christian ministry founded by Pastor Kevin Scott, his wife Christy, Associate Pastor Matt Love and his wife Julie.
On May 1, Nina and John Bradley opened Bradley’s Gourmet Coffee & More at 363 N Hwy 27 in Whitley City, Kentucky. Nestled in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest, Bradley’s offers a comfortable seating area and a drive-thru for coffee lovers on the go.
“‘Building our community one cup at a time’ is our slogan,” Nina Bradley said. “Just like Crimson Cup, we feel that small businesses are the heart of our communities.”
Arbuckle Mountain Fried Pies and Coffee opened May 11 inside Jungle Jim’s grocery store at 4450 Eastgate South Drive in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Owner Jerry joined with sons Mat Fry and Mike Fry to open a shop that serves Crimson Cup beverages to complement sweet and savory fried pies from Oklahoma City’s Arbuckle Mountain franchise.
Created by Joy and Brian Lee and Joy’s parents Jim and Charlotte Allgyer, The Coffee Station at Landis Valley opened May 30 at 2351 Oregon Pike near Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Like many coffee-shop owners, Jim Allgyer is a serial entrepreneur. The Coffee Station sends used milk jugs and plastic cups to his other business, Casual Living Products Unlimited, for transformation into poly outdoor furniture.
On June 20, Bluegrass star Lorraine Jordan opened Lorraine’s Coffee House and Music at 101 Timber Pointe Lane, in Garner, North Carolina. Lorraine’s offers an inviting space for neighbors to gather over awesome coffee and a varied musical menu ranging from bluegrass to jazz.
“It has been a lifelong dream of mine to have an establishment where the community could come together and mingle in a family atmosphere,” Lorraine said.
On June 25, Larry and Kay Byler opened Dawdy Haus Coffee at 634 Springs Road in Springs, Pennsylvania.
Translated from Pennsylvania Dutch, Dawdy Haus means “Grandfather’s House.” Inspired by their grandparents, the Bylers have given their coffee house the feel of a comfy cottage. Walnut cabinets and a warm fireplace with a gorgeous copper chimney create a frame for family heirlooms.
The Kave Coffee Bar and Nine Muses Art Gallery opened July 25 at 584 W. Tuscarawas St. in Barberton, Ohio. The coffee bar and art gallery anchors the new arts and entertainment district in downtown Barberton under development by Neighborhood Development Services, a nonprofit community development corporation. The coffee bar offers free Wi-Fi, space for musical acts and a private conference room.
Ground Zero Coffee Shop held its grand opening Oct. 14 at 904 Chester Street, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Non-profit Christian youth ministry Ground Zero turned to Crimson Cup for help in transforming the concession stand of the 1950s-era Rivoli movie theater into a profitable coffee shop staffed entirely by volunteers.
On Oct. 21, owner Wendy Bradley and her team served 385 drinks during the grand opening of Love-a-Latte Coffee and Tea House, 1210 12th Street, Eldora, Iowa. Well-wishers from the community sent flowers and the Eldora Chamber of Commerce was on hand to perform a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Before opening Love-A-Latte, Wendy had spent many years as a human resource professional for several farming companies.
J’s Place on Main opened Oct. 28 to serve Crimson Cup beverages, breakfast and lunch from a historic building at 101 S. Main Street in downtown Nicholasville, Kentucky.
Owner Gwen Riley, a small business owner who also operates GreenBox Heating & Air, started J’s Place to reach out to those who need a hand up after hard times. “We are a missional coffeehouse, which means we exist to make money…and then give the majority of it away!” she said. “Let us serve you a cup of your favorite coffee. And know that you are helping to serve the world around you!”
Stone House Sweets opened Nov. 18 at 322 Union Blvd., Suite B, in Englewood, Ohio.
Owner Beth Duncan opened the retail coffee house and bakery after her home-based bakery business outgrew her kitchen.
She serves fresh-baked cookies, cakes, candies and other treats along with a full menu of Crimson Cup beverages.
Congratulations to the Crimson Cup Class of 2014! We’re looking forward to working with you and other members of our community to make 2015 the best year ever.