COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- From Georgia to New York, Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea is helping aspiring entrepreneurs turn coffee dreams into reality. In just six months, five independent coffee shops have opened in three states through the company's 7 Steps to Success consulting program — all led by first-time owners with no prior coffee experience.
The new shops include:
Each business launched with hands-on support from Crimson Cup's 7 Steps to Success program, which has helped over 300 independent coffee businesses thrive across 37 states. In addition to these new opens, four existing shop owners expanded their coffee business into multi-location successes.
Brewing Community, One Cup at a Time
While each shop is unique, they share a common mission: creating welcoming spaces where great coffee sparks connection.
In Canton, Georgia, Stitch Coffee brings a local twist to café culture, named to honor the town's cotton mill roots and the owners' goal of "stitching" the community together. "We want to be captains of our own ship and masters of our destiny," said co-owner Dave Hickey, who previously launched a shop in New Jersey with Crimson Cup's guidance.
In New York, married couple Victoria Mamat and Robert Nunnally opened Red Otter Coffee after leaving corporate life to pursue a more personal mission. "We knew we didn't know what we were doing," said Nunnally. "Crimson Cup gave us a framework and honest expectations. It's been invaluable."
In Ohio, three new shops are winning hearts with local charm and original concepts. The Nook Coffee Bar in London was 25 years in the making for military spouse Jenn Moore, who said, "We've loved working with Crimson Cup to make this dream a reality."
Gina's Gelato and Java blends espresso and indulgence in Parma Heights. "We didn't want to be a mass-produced business," said co-owner Gina Caro. "Crimson Cup helped us stay original and execute our vision."
In Groveport, Main Ground Coffee reopened a cherished family building to reimagine its legacy through coffee. "These truly are our main grounds," said owner Avery Ward. "Crimson Cup got in the trenches with us — not just handing us a manual, but helping us succeed step by step."
A Proven Path for First-Time Coffee Shop Owners
Crimson Cup's 7 Steps to Success program, based on founder Greg Ubert's book Seven Steps to Success: A Common-sense Guide to Succeed in Specialty Coffee, offers a complete roadmap for new owners — from site selection and business planning to barista training and ongoing consulting.
"We're proud to support these entrepreneurs as they build meaningful businesses in their communities," said Heather Syx, Customer Growth Consultant at Crimson Cup. "Every shop is proof that you don't need prior coffee experience to succeed — just the right plan, passion, and partnership."
All five new shops serve Crimson Cup's award-winning coffee, roasted in Columbus, Ohio, and sourced through the company's Friend2Farmer® direct trade program.
Dreaming of Opening Your Own Coffee Shop? Talk to Crimson Cup.
Crimson Cup's 7 Steps to Success is a comprehensive coffee shop startup and growth program developed by founder Greg Ubert to empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools and support they need to launch and grow a thriving coffee business. Backed by over 30 years of specialty coffee experience, the program covers everything from business planning and site selection to barista training, marketing and more.
"Opening a coffeehouse can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be," said Ubert. "We created the 7 Steps program to simplify the process and walk side-by-side with owners as they build businesses that last."
For aspiring entrepreneurs seeking a rewarding path in specialty coffee, the 7 Steps to Success offers a blueprint backed by real-world results.
Entrepreneurs ready to start or grow their coffee business can get started by buying its Coffee Shop Startup Kit or by contacting 7 Steps Sales Leader Scott Fullerton at [email protected] or 1-888-800-9224 for a no-obligation discussion.
About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea
Founded in 1991, Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea is a leader in the specialty coffee industry, recognized for award-winning quality and commitment to sustainability. The company's accolades include multiple Good Food Awards, the 2025 Golden Bean World Series Championship and Roast magazine's 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year.
Through its Friend2Farmer® initiatives, Crimson Cup supports coffee-growing communities with sustainable, mutually beneficial partnerships. Its 7 Steps to Success program empowers entrepreneurs to open independent coffee shops by providing a detailed coffee shop business plan template, hands-on training, award-winning coffee and ongoing consulting.
Crimson Cup coffee is served in over 700 independent coffeehouses, grocers, universities, restaurants and food service locations across 37 states and Bangladesh. The company also operates its own Crimson Cup and CRIMSON coffeehouses in Ohio. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com.
SOURCE Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea
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