Stephen Johnson’s children and father-in-law have helped him prepare to open Sourdough Cuppa Joe at 6707 Hixson Pike. They built custom coffee bar tables for the shop. From left are Brady Johnson, Gary Skelton, Corinne Johnson and Stephen Johnson.If the smell of freshly baked bread and hot brewed coffee comes wafting your way on Hixson Pike come October, it may be coming from Sourdough Cuppa Joe, which is scheduled to open its doors to the public early next month.
Stephen Johnson was a Chick-fil-A manager for over 20 years before taking the plunge and starting his own business. An amateur baker himself, his passion for perfect bread and amazing coffee led him to his new venture.
“When it comes down to it, they [coffee and bread] have to be right every single time,” Johnson said.
Sourdough Cuppa Joe will be unique in that it will offer treats baked on-site while also serving customers via a drive-thru. While the bread, bagels and pastries will be homemade, the coffee will come from Vienna Coffee in Maryville, Tenn., and to adorn his baked creations, Johnson is turning to Daylilies in Cleveland, Tenn., and will feature locally sourced honey, as well.
“We wanted to emphasize that what can be done locally, will be done locally,” Johnson said. “There’s really nothing else in the Hixson area like this.”