A Texas Farmhouse Reborn as a Coffee Gathering Place

In Coppell, Texas, a Dallas suburb, coffee options were once limited to drive-thru windows and counters along busy roads, with little space for lingering. "People said if you want to do coffee, it had to be on a main road," recalls Christian Hemberger, co-owner of George Coffee + Provisions. But available commercial spaces in strip malls were both restrictive and costly. "What we wanted to do just didn’t fit within those confines."

Hemberger and his wife, Laura, also a co-owner, imagined a specialty coffee shop that would double as a community hub. They took a bold step: they asked their bank to approve them as their own landlords and requested that the City of Coppell rezone their residential property as commercial mixed use—a first for the city.

With approvals from both the bank and the city, the Hembergers embarked on a multi-year conversion of their home into a café and gathering space. George Coffee + Provisions opened its doors in August.

The stately white farmhouse sits on a corner of Main Street in Old Town Coppell, the city’s original downtown. The revitalized area also features a park, a farmers market, and a mix of restaurants and shops, making it an ideal spot for a cozy café with ample seating.

Inside, the décor blends rustic and modern elements. A sleek loveseat and chairs face a brick fireplace; French doors open to a long community table; leather armchairs nestle in corners under industrial lamps. A back courtyard is furnished with picnic tables, planter boxes full of flowers, and overhead string lights.

Beyond the inviting atmosphere, the Hembergers paid close attention to the menu, which includes house-made syrups, local honey, and a variety of beverages to suit different tastes. "We want to establish excellence and trust in whatever it is we offer," Hemberger says.

Since opening, George has drawn a steady crowd: morning Bible study groups, students looking for a study spot, and couples on date nights. Hemberger finds the turnout encouraging, but even more rewarding is giving back to a community that has given his family so much. "We love people, and we’re loving people through good coffee."

George Coffee + Provisions
462 Houston St., Coppell, Texas
(469) 464-3107
georgecoffeeandprovisions.com
Hours: 6 a.m.–8 p.m., Monday–Thursday; 6 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday; 7 a.m.–9 p.m., Saturday; Closed Sunday

1) A Fellow Companion: The Curtis hot water tower is kept at 211 degrees Fahrenheit for the Fellow kettles used on the pour-over bar. By the time kettles are filled and transported to the manual brew bar, water is ready at 202 degrees.

2) See Food: A grab-and-go refrigeration unit displays locally made cold-pressed juices, ready-to-drink beverages, and prepared food, so customers can easily see what’s available.

3) Purposeful Pivot: An ice machine kept within close reach of the POS makes it easy for the register barista to quickly prepare iced drinks.

4) Not Too Tall: The twin one-gallon Curtis G3 batch brewer allows two different drip coffees to be featured, while occupying less vertical real estate than the popular 1.5-gallon edition of the brewer. George serves coffee from Edison Coffee Co., a local roaster.

5) Stay Grinding: George co-owner Christian Hemberger says they chose Mahlkönig’s Guatemala grinder over the sexier EK43 for its compatibility with space and budget. The “workhorse” is used for batch brew, cold-brew, and the pour-over bar.

6) Mix It Up: The centrally placed Blendtec blender is bar-flow friendly, while a sound shield minimizes noise disruptions. The neighboring dump sink is deep enough to rinse the pitcher without requiring an extra kitchen run.

7) Form + Function: The Square point-of-sale system was chosen for its simple aesthetic and familiarity to customers.

8) Low Means Go: The register and pick-up counters were lowered to 36 inches, designed to meet ADA guidelines. Hemberger says the varied levels have been helpful in directing customer flow.

9) Espresso Flow: The three-group Synesso MVP Hydra espresso machine is flanked by a Mahlkönig K30 and a Mazzer electronic grinder, used for decaf. The grinder station provides extra space between the register and espresso baristas.

10) Perfect Pitcher: An in-counter pitcher rinser and a set of Rhinoware pitchers with Accutemp stick-on thermometers help to streamline espresso prep. The thermometers ensure consistent drink temperatures, essential for customers making the switch from corporate coffee giants known for speed and consistency.

The George Coffee + Provisions creation team:
Bill Peck (architect), Chris Raines (builder), Roots Coffeehouse (coffee consultants), Edison Coffee Co. (roasting partner), Dustin Lucas (interior design), Lawns of Dallas (landscape), Janna Tidwell Studio (landscape architecture), and Dana Pugh Designs (interior style).