Nine New Coffee Shops Brew Big Business
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee is becoming an increasingly familiar scent in the City of Oaks as a wave of new coffee shops are percolating around town. From out-of-town franchises setting up shop to homegrown cafes making their debut, the local scene is experiencing somewhat of a renaissance. Not shocking given coffee is the moment—and Raleigh ranks among some of the top cities for java junkies.
Already serving a host of creative coffee shops, the nine (!) recently announced or opened cafes add brewing diversity. And it’s not just Raleigh. The country as a whole is seeing exponential growth in the coffee industry, with the market currently estimated at $28.06 billion and expected to reach $33.64 billion by 2029. Driving those dollars, smaller specialty coffee shops are especially having their moment—and giving big-name brands a run for their money.
And, really, with so many locally owned options, why choose a chain? “I was a daily Dunkin’ or Starbucks drinker until this past winter because I lived and worked in a veritable local coffee desert,” said one avid coffee drinker we spoke to. “Now I would sooner skip coffee than drink the chains—and am obsessed with the sudden abundance of selects.”
Locally, owner Jason Cox of DTR newcomer and already uberpopular Press says the caffeinated surge of entrepreneurial operators bringing their own unique ideas to the area is reflective of Raleigh’s continued growth—“not just in its population, but its stature as a rising city and the desires that come with that,” he says. … “A growing market appreciates the variety itself—in products, in atmosphere, in ethos and so on.”
To wit, Raleigh’s coffee shops aren’t just about coffee; they offer a variety of experiences that intentionally cater to different tastes. Press, for instance, blends European-inspired offerings with local flavors, while Wilmington-based Drift’s new West Raleigh location made an instant splash with its MO of modern wellness and menu featuring seaside breakfast, brunch and lunch favorites. Raleigh Iron Works’ upcoming Fare&Fellow, meanwhile, promises hyperlocal products from Homeland Creamery, Union Special and local roasters once it bows early next year.
Ultimately the eyes on Raleigh speak to the city’s principles of quality and community—core values in coffee shop culture. “We believe the demographic in Raleigh appreciates a similar lifestyle and values that lead to a life best lived,” says Drift co-founder Michael Powell. “We wanted to share that with them in the place they call home.”
But it’s not just a one-and-done for these new Raleigh coffee locations. Both Cox and Powell are looking ahead to exciting development on the horizon for Raleigh’s coffee culture. Cox envisions a broader range of offerings, especially at Press, where tea will also be further emphasized for those who don’t enjoy java or just want the option of something less caffeine-heavy.
“I also expect more and more new operators to have food menus that are broader than we have had in the market historically, blending the coffee shop experience into the cafe focus that we have here,” he adds.
For Powell, technology and consistent quality-driven experiences are what he sees as the guiding factors for the future of Raleigh’s cafe scene. “The operators who create distinct experiences will set the standard for coffee consumers in the area,” he maintains. All to say, Raleigh cuppa lovers have a lot to look forward to—and there’s only more brewing on the horizon.
Recently Opened
- Press Coffee, Crepes & Cocktails
- Drift Coffee & Kitchen
- Black & White Coffee Roasters at RDU
- Left Hook Coffee
- New World Cafe
- Little Native Coffee Co.
Coming Soon
