Local sustainable roaster opens first coffee shop in West Asheville
ASHEVILLE - A local coffee roaster supplying area restaurants and residences with quality, small-batch, sustainably sourced coffee is now brewing it for customers.
Katie and Matthew McDaniel, a husband-and-wife entrepreneur duo, have introduced a coffee shop arm of their homegrown roastery: Cooperative Coffee Roasters.
On May 23, Cooperative Coffee Shop debuted at 210 Haywood Road, formerly Urban Orchard Cider Co.’s West Asheville taproom.
“Now, we can have our flagship location where people can come and experience our coffees how we want it to taste, brewed by us,” Matthew McDaniel said.
Coffee shop hours are 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
McDaniel said Cooperative, located on Haywood Road leading to the River Arts District, bridges West Asheville and downtown. The coffee shop is a newcomer to what he called the unofficial “breakfast district” that includes neighboring businesses Hole Doughnuts, Taco Billy and OWL Bakery.
Cooperative's beverage menu features coffee drinks using in-house roasted beans from drip to cold brews to lattes to nitro brews. Syrups are made in-house, like chocolate, caramel, vanilla and honey. Seasonal, rotating flavors and signature drinks will be introduced.
“We’re sourcing the coffees; we’re roasting the coffees and now we’re able to serve the coffee to the individuals. It’s the last link in that chain and we’re happy to provide that,” Matthew McDaniel said.
Asheville-based Dobra Tea and Smiles Tea are suppliers.
New Stock Pantry, a local chef-led catering company, provides fresh, seasonally rotating sandwiches, salads, snacks and pastries. Lost Flamingo, a chef pop-up, supplies baked goods, like croissants, brioche coffee cake buns, scones and cookies.
Crafting a coffee community
McDaniel said Cooperative has been welcomed into the West Asheville and greater coffee community, as local coffee shop owners and workers have stopped by to offer support.
The coffee shop allows the team to connect with the community directly and in a wider capacity.
Since 2019, Cooperative has operated its roastery from the building’s lower level where the team sold retail and wholesale beans and hosted public cuppings ― intimate coffee-tasting events.
Last November, Urban Orchard moved out of the ground-level space, opening a door for Cooperative to expand.
Cooperative's staff has grown from a four-person roastery team to an additional eight-person barista crew.
McDaniel said the roastery and coffee shop are living wage certified. Employees are guaranteed the Buncombe County living wage rate of $22.10/hour, per Just Economics of Western North Carolina, a regional, membership organization that advocates for a "just and sustainable economy."
McDaniel said if coffee shop employees do not meet the base rate through the set hourly wage and tips the business will make up the difference.
The roastery will continue to service wholesale and online orders, but customers are encouraged to purchase retail products in the coffee shop. Cuppings will continue at the roastery.
In late June, Cooperative will host a grand opening party with menu specials, giveaways, deejay and a dance party in the café.
Live music in the courtyard and other regular and special events, including collaborations with the running and biking communities, are to come.
Cooperative collaborations and renovations
The McDaniels transformed the 2,000-square feet former cider taproom with natural light and a bright color palate.
Matthew McDaniel said Cooperative's coffee bag illustration of daytime and nighttime skies, clouds and a rainbow over a mountain landscape inspired the coffee shop’s design and vibe.
The spray foam insulation covering the ceiling was painted teal, and then the walls and dark, wooden beams were painted white to replicate the clouds and sky.
The existing large, bifold windows with folding panels and glass doors lining the front of the dining room bring in natural light and air. Additional and upgraded back windows and new light fixtures ― made by glass artist Kathryn Adams ― aid in further illuminating.
Local professionals were commissioned to complete the renovation and design "to make this space come to life."
Contractors at Vaden Customs provided plumbing, electrical and other services, plus crafted the white oak counter with the restored original metal from the cidery’s bar, and the built-in bench seat.
Gems from Enter the Earth retail shop were implanted into the custom concrete countertop, made by ZepDesigns, to create a “river of stones.”
The two-level, dog-friendly, shaded outdoor seating area includes a 30x30 square foot upper deck.
Matthew McDaniel described the 36x36 square foot enclosed ground-level courtyard as a secluded, secret garden. He said it will be enhanced with more native plants to make the area lusher.
Cooperative Coffee Roasters and Coffee Shop
Where: 210 Haywood Road, Asheville.
Coffee shop hours: 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Info: For more, visit cooperativecoffeeroasters.com and facebook.com/CooperativeCoffeeRoasters and follow on Instagram at @cooperativecoffeeroasters.
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Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Cooperative Coffee Roasters debuts café, garden patio in Asheville
