Fort Sanders coffee shop isn't just for your caffeine fix

Coffee Underground is a new coffee shop that’s opening in the Fort Sanders neighborhood and is focused on something more than just coffee.

“Our mission has a lot to do with connecting people through good, ethically sourced coffee and creating a space where people feel welcome, included, and potentially even connecting around issues impacting the community and the world,” owner Kelly Ellenburg said.

Ellenburg said her background working at the University of Tennessee helped prepare her for the process of owning and operating a community-centered business.

“It was a confluence of circumstances that just felt a little bit magical,” she said. “I had worked at the university for a number of years in the capacity where I was connecting UT courses with community organizations... And then following that, I worked for an organization that creates business simulations. So between those two experiences, I got the community experience and the business experience.”

Coffee Underground is proud to source Counter Culture coffee, which is a company known for its focus on sustainability and ethics.

“We're excited to offer Counter Culture coffee,” Ellenburg said. “It’s really important to us that customers know their farmers, that their farmers are paid above fair-trade value, and that there's a connection there. We're trying to learn a little more about it to be able to fully connect the producers, the farmers, and the growers to our customers.”

The “Autumn Harvest Shaken Espresso” and “Cardamom Honey Latte” are two of Coffee Underground’s most popular seasonal drinks. Both drinks include flavored syrups that are made in-house by manager Nayeema Hoffman.

Along with coffee, customers can choose from food items such as waffles, sandwiches, and pastries that are made in-house.

The “G.O.A.T.” is Coffee Underground’s signature waffle topped with creamy goat cheese and raspberry jam.

For lunch, customers are able to order the “Pumperpickle” sandwich that’s served with fresh deli turkey and melted cheddar on pumpernickel bread and topped with arugula, stone ground mustard, mayo, and pickles.

Through hosting workshops, open mic nights, and discussion groups, Coffee Underground is also becoming a gathering space for community members. The coffee shop is not only a coworking space, but also includes a meeting space that community members can book on their website to use for communal gatherings.

The walls of the coffee shop are covered in bright murals created by local artists. As Ellenburg continues to meet customers, she’s also finding ways to collaborate with them and create a partnership. Recently, Coffee Underground has partnered with Young Blood Tattoo to create a raffle for customers who order the Autumn Harvest Shaken Espresso.

“Whoever presents an opportunity to partner and is moving in the same direction or trying to do the work that is complementary to ours, then we want to work with you,” Ellenburg said. “Everything that we do, we're trying to really connect, collaborate and work with people who also want to make the world more equitable and more just.”

Although Coffee Underground, at 713 17th St., is in the heart of the University of Tennessee Knoxville campus, the team strives to connect with customers from all areas of Knoxville and beyond, while making all feel welcome.

“I would say our main goal is getting the community engaged,” manager Hoffman said. “When people come in, we don't want to turn them away or make them feel like they don't belong here… Even if they're just passing through Knoxville or families who live in Fort Sanders or even the workers on the block, it's making sure we're building those relationships and fostering them, rather than doing it performatively or insincerely.”

Coffee Underground is in its soft opening but will be hosting an opening celebration 4-7 p.m. Nov. 3. All are welcome.

Info: knoxcoffeeunderground.com

Reach Joeleen Hubbard at joeleenhubbard@gmail.com; (865) 591-8893

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville coffee shop to offer community space in Fort Sanders