Online reviewers rave online about its “yummy treats,” warm atmosphere and unique flavors, but the owners of Coffee Culture don’t let the praise go to their heads.
Sage, Dana and Thomas Barrett, the trio behind the popular java shop with locations in Bay St. Louis and Diamondhead, stay humble and thankful for the patrons who have embraced their business.
“Our mission at Coffee Culture is to provide friendly service to all,” Sage says. “One smile or laugh from our baristas can make a customers’ day. We love knowing that we bring positivity to our community.”
That appreciation is mutual, as hundreds of fans voted Coffee Culture the overall winner in Gulf Coast Woman’s Best Small Business Contest. A vote tally of 372 for the Bay St. Louis location and 340 for the Diamondhead shop put the business in the top spot.
A FAMILY BUSINESS
The Barrett family comes from a long line of business owners and has founded several restaurants, with Coffee Culture being their newest endeavor and the first owned by both parents and daughter. Thomas and Dana have been in the restaurant business for 39 years, and their daughter, Sage, has followed suit for 11 years. Together, Sage says, “We bring both experience and fresh ideas to the table.”
“As a family of coffee lovers, opening a coffee shop seemed like the perfect idea,” she adds. “We have so enjoyed bringing this business to life.”
Sage, who has lived in several states with various cultures, is described as the creative force behind the company — giving Coffee Culture its signature fun, funky vibe. But even an aesthetically pleasing coffee shop can’t succeed without serving a great cup of joe — a task that falls to the business’s talented baristas.
“Each of our baristas have their own spunky personalities, and they love connecting with our customers,” Sage says. “We are so blessed to know them and to have them be a part of our team.”
RADIATING POSITIVITY
The biggest compliment Coffee Culture has received, according to Sage, is that it can turn someone’s bad day around. Each order from its extensive menu of pastries and hot and iced drinks is served with a smile — including the fan-favorite latte that is available in over 30 flavors. The newest addition, Energizer drinks, are made with lotus, an all-natural plant-based energy.
“We believe that every experience at Coffee Culture should leave the customer feeling elated,” Sage says. “We aim to radiate positivity and provide a top-notch product with each visit.”
She adds that may ideas are in development that the Coffee Culture team can’t wait to share. In the meantime, her family’s main goal for the business is to keep growing.
“It’s such an honor to be recognized by our community,” Sage says. “We put so much TLC into Coffee Culture, so we cannot thank our customers enough for thinking of us and for supporting our dream.”
Want more details about about Coffee Culture? Visit www.instagram.com/coffeeculture.bsl/, www.facebook.com/coffeecultureBSL or coffeeculturebsl.com.