The first hint of fall in the air, damp pavers beneath feet, and five quaint java houses within walking distance. It’s not a scene from Seattle; it’s a quiet morning in downtown Fayetteville.
With more than 50 shops in the region—from corporate stores to mom-and-pops—there’s a cup of Joe for everyone.
Few beverages are as versatile. At 8:30 on a weekday morning, a group of senior citizens sip $1 McDonald’s coffee from foam cups while playing bingo. During the hectic commute, soldiers, office staff, and blue-collar workers snake their cars around popular national establishments like Starbucks, Dutch Bros, and 7 Brew for a fix.
Then there are the connoisseurs who speak of flavor profiles and fruity notes, willing to shell out $8 for exotic concoctions.
Molly Arnold, owner of Rude Awakening on Hay Street, said there’s plenty of room for all drinkers at the longest-standing independent coffeehouse in Fayetteville.
“When I was growing up, almost every man just drank black coffee,” Arnold said. “Men didn’t add cream or sugar—that certainly has changed over time. Generations, tastes, and lifestyles always dictate the direction of coffee and a lot of other things.
“There’s not a one-size-fits-all in coffee. It is a lot like cheese or wine. It’s such a varied flavor profile; there’s probably one for everybody. It just may not be the one that other people approve of. But who needs approval?”
Every independent shop also has its own style and clientele. Arnold said Rude Awakening’s quirky design is a glimpse into her personality. The sitting area is cluttered, colorful, and intimate.
“Independent coffee shops are true reflections of their owners,” she said. “Rude reflects who I am. Not that I’m artistic, but I appreciate art, music, and culture. Once I had a space with walls, I took advantage of it.
“The vibe I’m trying to go for is community.”
‘I Come Here for the Experience’
Blanc Coffee Roaster’s decor is minimalist compared to its competitor further up Hay, but the shop likewise captures the soul of its owner, Annette Blanc. Colorful paintings from her native Panama lend a distinct Latin vibe. Though the artwork dates back to the 1960s, the rest of the seating area is well-lit and modern.
Blanc knows coffee. Her family in Central America grows it. The baristas take great care in the appearance of each cup, even including a handwritten note to the customer. Blanc takes just as much care in the selection of beans.
“All of our coffees are single-origin,” she said proudly.
Customer Ashley Swaby visits Blanc at least twice a week. While she appreciates the drink-making expertise, she mainly just enjoys sitting at a table in the alley courtyard reading a novel.
“I love coffee, but I come here for the experience,” Swaby said. “Sometimes it is busy, crowded, or loud, but it gives me the whole white noise vibe.”
Susanne Harris, a cardiac surgical nurse, relies on corporate caffeine to get through long shifts. On her day off, she takes time to enjoy coffee as an art instead.
“Everyone has their vice, and mine is coffee,” Harris said, standing in line at Vagabond Cafe on Hay Street, hoping the shop still carries the seasonal banana bread matcha drink. It doesn’t, but she’s equally pleased with the complex drink she ends up with.
“There aren’t a lot of places that do matcha well,” she said. “I am looking for quality over quantity, and I’d rather support a small business. If I’m off work and have the time, I go somewhere where people put the effort in. I try to slow down and be more mindful.”
Nancy Ramos, who owns Vagabond, speaks of coffee the way a Michelin-starred chef converses about cuisine.
“We are called Vagabond for a reason—I curate a worldwide menu,” said Ramos, an East Los Angeles native who launched her business with a food truck in 2019. “Consumers are interested in seeing different flavors, and unlike a restaurant, it’s not a full menu, so it’s fun. Some items cater to purists who like black coffee and espresso, and some are for those who like specialty drinks.”
Ramos said there’s a place in the coffee world for high-end brews since there’s more concern over how food is handled, grown, and procured. Her beans are purchased in Carthage from Buggy Town Coffee—a small-batch roaster. Chocolate and cinnamon are sourced directly from Mexico. Ramos’ Frida Latte—a signature Mexican-inspired espresso drink featuring mole syrup topped with crushed rose petals—was featured in a 2023 issue of Barista Magazine.
“I’m passionate,” Ramos said. “I even collect coffee from overseas. I have a Swedish coffee with blueberry cheesecake notes. That is just for us to drink, though.
“I try to have these conversations with my purist dad. He’s from an era where you drink Taster’s Choice, so he doesn’t get it.”
Key Ingredients? Service and Product Quality
When it feels like a new gas station or fast-food option is opening on every corner, the independent coffee sellers must set themselves apart. For Rude Awakening, Vagabond, Blanc, and others, the ingredients are service and product quality.
“I send my baristas to Little Waves in Durham, the 2022 Roast Magazine coffee roaster of the year,” Ramos said.
Others take the remix a step further. Game On! Cards and Coffee and Thirsty Gamers Cafe each encourage customers to engage with card or board games. Lucia’s offers spectacular scenery at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. Miller’s Brew, on Morganton Road, offers vocational training to prepare young adults with developmental delays for life beyond high school. The Farmer’s Cat Cafe showcases live felines.
Coffee drinkers pay $13.50 to sip in a room occupied by seven adoptable cats—all fostered for the Bail for Tails Rescue.
“The cats are the star of the show; customers book the cat room in advance,” said Casey Shouldis, a barista there. “But they always get coffee while they are here.”
Are there too many coffee options in Fayetteville? Not according to those benefitting most from the growing popularity.
Blanc welcomes the competition. Arnold said, “There’s room for all of us.”
Ramos wants even more options for consumers.
“The trend is even more businesses when it comes to coffee, because it is becoming a lot more attainable,” she said. “For those with carts or mobile sales, the menu is easy to curate. For those with brick-and-mortar shops, manufacturers have developed smaller and easier-to-use machines.
“You find coffee like this [all over] in a major city. I say, why not here?”
