Whether you prefer a dark roast drip in a low-lit lounge or a cortado in a shop with chic décor, these new Upstate coffee stops offer differing vibes to fit your singular personality.
THE ADVENTURER: Grace Coffee Company
You might wonder if you’re in the right place when you pull into the Half-Moon Outfitters parking lot. Grace Coffee occupies a small section of the store, but what it lacks in space it makes up for in concept. It is a grab-and-go environment, so Grace Coffee’s varied drinks are meant to be consumed while browsing.
Emma Grace Beyer is the general manager for all three Grace Coffee locations (with two others in Columbia and Lexington), and she hopes that through her shop’s approachability she can hit a niche for coffee-lovers in the Greenville area.
“I think that’s one way we sort of have an edge,” Beyer says. “We are just very excited to serve everyone and pride ourselves on the fact that we’re going to help every individual find the drink that they need, not just what Instagram is telling them they should potentially be drinking.”
603 E Stone Ave, Greenville. (803) 429-3950, gracecoffeecompany.com
THE COLLABORATOR: Cohesive Coffee
An open, white-walled, mid-mod space is the setting for Cohesive Coffee, a new spot in a renovated warehouse called The Junction—also home to a hair salon, winery, and the soon-to-be second location for White Duck Taco Shop. Owner Josh Williams was intentional in the concept of togetherness through his design. You can see the space from end to end, and couches and tables are set close together to warrant a collaborative nature. It’s for the ones who enjoy their specialty cup of coffee with company.
“Every person has their house, their work, and everybody is searching for that third place. We want to be that third place for a lot of people,” says Williams. “I want to see house offers get signed in here and businesses dreamed up.”
301 Airport Rd, Unit 1, Greenville. cohesivecoffee.com
THE CREATIVE: The Pharmacy
The Coffee Bar in Spartanburg has been a long-time city favorite, but in February of this year, Little River Roasting opened up its sister location: an upscale, modern shop with everything an Instagram influencer needs to take a stunning picture, including—but not limited to—mini glass goblets for iced drinks and floor-to-ceiling windows for perfect lighting.
Harkening back to the lively 1920s, the black-and-white floor tile, white-marble coffee bar top, and rustic black-and-gold pendant lights are distinct choices to set The Pharmacy apart from the dark and cozy Coffee Bar. Not only that, but Little River Roasting general manager Daniel Hagerman says it was a tribute to the Montgomery Building’s history, where the shop is located.
“We tried to cater to as many people as possible while still keeping it as top-shelf as possible,” says Hagerman. It’s a space made for the artist, the one who enjoys working with the sun and learning from the baristas as you watch them craft your beverage with their signature house blend, The Cure.
187 N Church St, Ste A, Spartanburg. (864) 913-1010, facebook.com/pharmacycoffee864
Photograph by Rebecca Lehde
