In Davidson, you can now order coffee at a bank drive-thru during coronavirus
Summit Coffee Company in Davidson has found a creative way to both serve members of the community and save jobs. Beginning Saturday, March 21 at 7 a.m., coffee lovers can drive through a defunct Wells Fargo drive-thru to get a much-needed local coffee fix.
The Wells Fargo location, which closed about 2 years ago, is at 316 S. Main St. in Davidson. The pop-up will be fully operational for at least 30 days with a temporary permit, and Summit Coffee will offer a variety of hot coffee and nitro cold brew selections.
CEO and owner Brian Helfrich wrote on his Summit Coffee blog that he is choosing to open a new store during these uncertain times because he “owes it to Summit and to the customers to fight like hell to keep our doors open.”
The organic coffee concept originated in 1998 and has 3 other locations, including another in Davidson, one on the Davidson College campus and one in Asheville.
Saving jobs and offering community
Dora Callahan, director of retail operations with Summit Coffee Co., said the idea to open a business during this crisis was “audacious and wild,” but driving around sparked the company’s interest in what is considered the only drive-thru open in the city.
“We care about our people and our employees and are staying open for them,” Callahan said.
She said the existing coffee shop location at 128 S. Main St. is still open for grab-and-go items, but the company is offering the additional location to create community while staying safe. “We are adding this pop up inside of an old drive-thru for people who are at risk [of contracting COVID-19] because there is less contact if people cannot walk into a store. This option feels safer so we can engage with more people.”
If you are craving something sweeter, Summit Coffee Co. is also partnering with Kindred restaurant to sell a doughnuts at its pop-up.
Mobile trivia night
Miss trivia nights with friends while we practice social distancing? Summit Coffee has also started a remote trivia, in which every Monday and Thursday, people can purchase a pack of trivia to play in their own homes that night. A winner will be announced the following morning, and Summit Coffee will deliver bottles of wine to each winners’ homes as a prize. Dora said the trivia games are another fun way to keep people engaged.
Instagram: @summitcoffee
The drive-thru location will be open for at least 30 days starting March 21, 7 days per week from 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
This story was originally published March 20, 2020 at 1:18 PM.