(July 14, 2016) Lori McAllister has spent years trying to figure out a way to help the people who helped her.
Her first idea was college, and she graduated from Salisbury University with a bachelor’s degree in conflict analysis and dispute resolution. She began working with people who had been recently released from prison to reintegrate with society, and later took a position as operations manager at ReConnections helping foster a holistic approach to mental health.
But it wasn’t enough. Not until she started airing her concerns out loud did she discover what it was she needed to do next.
“I know because I’m from Snow Hill and I kept talking about how terribly the town needed a coffee shop,” she said. She didn’t know at the time, but soon found out, the person she was discussing this idea with is a friend of Michael Day, the town’s economic development consultant.
“Before I knew it, I was having a conversation with Michael, and then the next thing I knew I was writing a business plan, marketing plan … all sorts of plans,” she said.
Those plans came to fruition this past Monday, when the Daily Brew Coffeehouse opened full time in downtown Snow Hill on Washington Street, in the shop that was formerly Hettie’s. That’s where her search ended for now, but it started in 2007, when McAllister was involved in an automobile accident that left her severely injured.
“I was in a car accident when I was 17 — it was very bad. I broke my back in several places. The whole town flooded my mailbox as I was recovering,” McAllister said. “My teachers and classmates at school flooded me with support. The fire department saved my life. I’ll never forget, it changed me forever and I want to give back.”
While she doesn’t see herself as part of a movement or ambassador for the town, she did say Snow Hill was experiencing a renaissance — just on its own terms.
“I don’t think we’re undergoing revitalization in that people have begun to move here in droves,” she explained. “But more people know about the town now, and the town wants to keep the Snow Hill charm but it needs more businesses, tourism and revenue.”
That’s why she didn’t consider opening up a coffee franchise, but opted instead for her own brand.
“I am a coffee lover,” she said. “When other people would go out partying, I would go to Barnes and Noble in Salisbury for coffee.”
It was fine for a while, but as time went on she began to resent the 25-minute drive to get there.
“I don’t think a franchise is what’s needed here. Snow Hill is about the mom and pop shops — we don’t need big box stores, we want something homey,” she said.
To get to that feeling, DBC is taking something of an uncharted course. The design of the shop is industrial, showcasing the contrast between light and dark with white walls with dark wood floors and gleaming chrome highlights.
Artwork by Kent Ambler is highlighted by contrast, and there is a laptop bar, table seating and, for those in search of something a bit cushier, an overstuffed black leather sofa.
McAllister gets her coffee from a roaster in North Carolina, but said she plans on looking for more local sources once she gets more ground under her feet.
“I’m new in business myself,” she said. “But I want to see more people and more businesses here. I’d like to see something like what they have going on in Salisbury but with a more neighborly feel, where we can reconnect with each other.”
Daily Brew Coffeehouse serves sandwiches for breakfast and lunch, as well as cookies, muffins and brownies.
The shop is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. — 4 p.m. and on Saturdays during town events. Additional Saturday hours are possible if there’s enough demand to support it, she said.
Her first idea was college, and she graduated from Salisbury University with a bachelor’s degree in conflict analysis and dispute resolution. She began working with people who had been recently released from prison to reintegrate with society, and later took a position as operations manager at ReConnections helping foster a holistic approach to mental health.
But it wasn’t enough. Not until she started airing her concerns out loud did she discover what it was she needed to do next.
“I know because I’m from Snow Hill and I kept talking about how terribly the town needed a coffee shop,” she said. She didn’t know at the time, but soon found out, the person she was discussing this idea with is a friend of Michael Day, the town’s economic development consultant.
“Before I knew it, I was having a conversation with Michael, and then the next thing I knew I was writing a business plan, marketing plan … all sorts of plans,” she said.
Those plans came to fruition this past Monday, when the Daily Brew Coffeehouse opened full time in downtown Snow Hill on Washington Street, in the shop that was formerly Hettie’s. That’s where her search ended for now, but it started in 2007, when McAllister was involved in an automobile accident that left her severely injured.
“I was in a car accident when I was 17 — it was very bad. I broke my back in several places. The whole town flooded my mailbox as I was recovering,” McAllister said. “My teachers and classmates at school flooded me with support. The fire department saved my life. I’ll never forget, it changed me forever and I want to give back.”
While she doesn’t see herself as part of a movement or ambassador for the town, she did say Snow Hill was experiencing a renaissance — just on its own terms.
“I don’t think we’re undergoing revitalization in that people have begun to move here in droves,” she explained. “But more people know about the town now, and the town wants to keep the Snow Hill charm but it needs more businesses, tourism and revenue.”
That’s why she didn’t consider opening up a coffee franchise, but opted instead for her own brand.
“I am a coffee lover,” she said. “When other people would go out partying, I would go to Barnes and Noble in Salisbury for coffee.”
It was fine for a while, but as time went on she began to resent the 25-minute drive to get there.
“I don’t think a franchise is what’s needed here. Snow Hill is about the mom and pop shops — we don’t need big box stores, we want something homey,” she said.
To get to that feeling, DBC is taking something of an uncharted course. The design of the shop is industrial, showcasing the contrast between light and dark with white walls with dark wood floors and gleaming chrome highlights.
Artwork by Kent Ambler is highlighted by contrast, and there is a laptop bar, table seating and, for those in search of something a bit cushier, an overstuffed black leather sofa.
McAllister gets her coffee from a roaster in North Carolina, but said she plans on looking for more local sources once she gets more ground under her feet.
“I’m new in business myself,” she said. “But I want to see more people and more businesses here. I’d like to see something like what they have going on in Salisbury but with a more neighborly feel, where we can reconnect with each other.”
Daily Brew Coffeehouse serves sandwiches for breakfast and lunch, as well as cookies, muffins and brownies.
The shop is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. — 4 p.m. and on Saturdays during town events. Additional Saturday hours are possible if there’s enough demand to support it, she said.