Sunago Coffee finally opens in Hardin Valley after a year of setbacks
Owners Tito and Yelena Wilson endured a year of setbacks due to labor shortages, supply chain shortages, construction issues and infrastructure issues to finally open their coffee shop, Sunago Coffee Company, on Aug. 1 at 10736 Hardin Valley Road.
The shop opened with a bang, bringing in more than 750 people, some as far away as Kentucky.
“We are just blown away by the community and support from our friends,” said Yelena. “We had friends from Kentucky drive in for the opening. The day before we had ‘Friends and Family Day’ where about 450 people showed up. That was a pleasant surprise. The staff was busy but happy, and no one seemed to grumble about the wait either day.”
The coffee shop is aptly named “Sunago.” Tito Wilson said it means “to gather.” The Wilsons have created the perfect spot for that in Hardin Valley. The shop is 2,400 square feet with about 75 seats — two conference tables seating 10 to 12, a smaller table seating about six. Every corner and cubby features comfy chairs for intimate conversations.
Tito also does wood designs and made every table in the shop. Each is a work of art.
The front conference table has 17 pounds of coffee beans embedded in the wood’s natural pits and furrows. Guessing how many pounds of coffee is in the table proved to be a fun game. Alaina Johnson, Kari Philpot and Maddy McCull each won a free coffee every month for a year.
Like any coffee shop worth its weight in espresso, there’s a stage for rising stars. Opening day entertainment was provided by songstress Collette Jadyn, who is a member of Common Interest, a local popular band.
The Wilsons made a decision early on to use local suppliers. The coffee is roasted in Powell, the milk comes from Weigel’s Dairy, and the ice cream comes from Mayfield.
An espresso milkshake is a popular item, as is the caramel macchiato, but combinations of flavors, milks, and coffee are too numerous to mention. Tito said, “Whatever is the customer’s favorite is what we’ll make.”
The Wilsons are no strangers to the coffee industry. Between them, they have more than 20 years of coffee experience ranging from being a barista, managing coffee companies, and roasting beans.
Theirs is a love story started over coffee.
“My wife and I actually met at my first interview with Starbucks. She interviewed me, told the manager to hire me … and then we married five months later. True story,” said Tito.
Sunago Coffee Company is open 5:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 5:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday; 6:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.
Info: www.sunagocoffeeco.com
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Sunago Coffee opens in Knoxville with all locally sourced products
