January 29, 2026 (Published: January 29, 2026)
Every coffee shop starts with a dream. And this January, we’re raising a cup to six local entrepreneurs who turned their dreams into reality.
From Tennessee to Kansas, these independent shops are celebrating milestone anniversaries, from three to eight years. Each opened and grew using our 7 Steps to Success program — a proven roadmap that guides owners through every phase of starting and growing a coffee shop.
“Our goal is to help local entrepreneurs bring their coffee shop dreams to life,” said Crimson Cup Founder and President Greg Ubert.
6 Shops, 6 Success Stories
These are the cafés we’re toasting this month:
- Smoky Mountain Espresso — Sevierville, Tenn | 8 Years
- Second Chances Recovery & Retail Store — Poteau, Okla. | 7 Years
- The Village Brew — Piketon, Ohio | 5 Years
- Mocha & Mini — Albert Lea, Minn.| 4 Years
- Shawnee Station Coffee House — Lima, Ohio | 4 Years
- Walnut Street Coffee and Deli — Oskaloosa, Kansas | 3 Years
Each of these shops braved opening a business in the coldest month of the year to keep their communities caffeinated and connected and have continued to thrive over the years. If you’re looking for ways to do the same, check out our latest blog post on how to boost winter coffee shop sales.
Smoky Mountain Espresso: Brewing Big in Tennessee
Michael and Karen Williams opened Smoky Mountain Espresso in 2018 without any coffee experience. What they had was a vision — and Crimson Cup helped them bring it to life.
“Crimson Cup offered everything we needed — service, expertise, quality, and thorough help,” said Michael. “I wouldn’t have opened a shop without them.”
Eight years later, they’re serving up signature drinks like the Smoky Mountain Mocha Freeze — a decadent blend of white chocolate, caramel, and espresso. After over 800 five-star Google reviews and topping lists of Sevierville’s best coffee shops, Smoky Mountain Espresso is a strong local favorite.
Visit them at 1259 Middle Creek Road in Sevierville, Tenn.
Thinking About Opening a Coffee Shop in 2026?
Crimson Cup’s 7 Steps to Success program has helped over 300 entrepreneurs open and grow independent coffee shops — with support that goes way beyond opening day.
Start with our Coffee Shop Startup Kit, which includes:
- The Seven Steps to Success book by Greg Ubert
- A ready-to-use business plan template
- Award-winning coffee samples
- 1-on-1 consulting with our experienced team
Call us at 888-800-9224
Or email Sales Leader Scott Fullerton at sfullerton@crimsoncup.com
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