Left Hook Coffee Opening Second Location

Left Hook Coffee’s grinding out its next chapter.

Like a boxer, Left Hook Coffee owner Kristin Kulik stays on her toes—always eager for the next big thing. Now, a year after her first location opened inside of Gussie’s, she’s readying for Left Hook’s next chapter in a standalone coffee shop on East Hargett Street, slated to be fully open by late fall. 

Kulik’s journey to this point, though, has come with its fair share of left hooks—both good and bad. After initially getting into coffee 13 years ago, the now-connoisseur “worked for not great people” until getting her big solo break as a vendor at the Orlando Farmers Market. “I’ve always liked the idea of being able to do what I want to do and talk to people at the same time—be that start to somebody’s day,” says Kulik.

Six months later, Kulik moved to Raleigh and roasted and sold coffee in Boylan Heights, until coming across Gussie’s on social media. “I sent them samples and met with them and they were like, ‘Do you want this bar?’” she recalls. And the rest, as they say, is history.

It was those ups and downs, jabs and blows that inspired the Left Hook name. “The world’s predominantly right-handed, right-minded, realistic, pessimistic—and so right hooks are pretty common in boxing,” Kulik explains. “Those left hooks are few and far between. We pivot through life on those left hooks—and it shapes us for better or for worse.” 

Fun fact: The photo splashed across Left Hook Coffee’s bags is of a man throwing a left hook at Kulik’s grandpa.

Naturally, the brick-and-mortar is a big win—and Kulik has big plans for the location, where her current roasting operation is. By mid-March she hopes to be hosting roasting, barista, cupping  and palate development classes before launching a fundraiser in early spring/summer to build out the coffee bar.

As for the space itself, the vibe will emulate an old-school ’60s/’70s “Philly diner counter” while also paying homage to the building’s longtime roots as a laundromat. Expect vintage furniture (think a bench from Durham’s bus station, old desks and a huge community table), vending machines, stained glass, exposed brick and outdoor picnic benches. 

“What sets us apart from a lot of other shops is I just try to make the entire experience as approachable as possible for everyone,” maintains Kulik. “I think this is the best coffee job I’ve ever had.” thelefthookcoffee.com 

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