Trellis Coffee Bar hosts their soft launch opening

By Erin Colley | Staff writer

Trellis Coffee Bar hosted their soft launch on Oct. 9, 2023 from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. They are located at 1902 Walton Way. One mile from the Summerville campus and 1.5 miles from the Health Science campus, Trellis is a central location for all Augusta University students.

Trellis Coffee Bar hosts their soft launch at 1902 Walton Way with current hours of 6 a.m.-12 p.m. (photo by Erin Colley)

They currently have limited hours and a limited menu to continue staff training during this soft launch period. Trellis will continue their soft launch hours and menu until their hard launch on Nov. 4, 2023. They plan to extend their hours to 4 p.m. after their hard launch until they get their beer and wine license to accommodate guests during evening hours.  

Their soft launch was a huge success as they had a steady stream of customers since people were lined up outside at 6 a.m.

Co-founder Danielle Whiting also noted that they made an extra coffee order to be delivered due to the incredible turnout.

Trellis has created a welcoming space with a variety of seating options with couches, round tables and bar seating. Whether one needs to study alone, catch up with friends or anything in between, Trellis has the perfect space.

“We created a study bar along the wall with a line of outlets with the intention of students being able to study here,” said Whiting.

One of the seating options that Trellis offers is this cozy area for guests to gather. (photo by Lucy O’Keefe)

Their menu has been intentionally created with single origin coffees paired with food offerings that compliment those options. Trellis serves many expressions of coffee such as espresso, batch brew, pour overs, signature lattes, various types of drips, teas and more.  They also have gluten free and vegan options.

A highlight item of their menu is their focaccia bread. The bakers worked extremely hard to perfect this recipe, which was served during the soft launch.

“We were able to get connected with some really awesome bakers and that opened up the door for us to have an expanded menu. The thing we weren’t willing to sacrifice was the same level of quality and excellence we have on the coffee side with the food that we offer,” explained co-founder Ross McDaniel.

Co-founder Josh Whiting shares focaccia bread samples to guests in line. (photo by Erin Colley)

Trellis Coffee Bar is the second place in Georgia to have a ground control coffee brewer. This allows them to make premium batch coffee for to-go services, events and their coffee cart. This machine is located behind the checkout counter for guests to see.

Local Augusta interior designer, Ashley Dickerson, worked with Trellis to create this unique and elegant space. Dickerson helped source the furniture, interior finishes and floor layout.

“I’m passionate about creating hospitable places and getting to see people use it the way I envisioned is the best feeling,” Dickerson added. “My two favorite things in the shop are the custom merch wall and the kid’s play coffee cart.”

You can connect with Dickerson on Instagram, @ashleydawninteriors.

Ashley Dickerson helps create a custom merchandise wall. (photo by Erin Colley)

Trellis is owned by four families: Ross and Brittany McDaniel, Brent and Kelly Skelley, Josh and Danielle Whiting and Jachin and Kara Wettstone.

The idea of Trellis Coffee Bar began in May of 2022 when this group of friends who never saw themselves staying in Augusta all ended up planting their roots here. Instead of dreaming of what Augusta could be, the Trellis owners came together to be a part of the change they want to see in the Augusta area.

Trellis started their presence in Augusta with a coffee cart that allowed them to serve cold coffee in pop-up places until their permanent storefront was ready to serve the public.

“I think of our coffee cart as the trailer for the cinematic masterpiece,” McDaniel added.

Their coffee cart will still be traveling through Augusta with pop-up spots and events. You can book Trellis Coffee Bar for your future event through their website, www.trelliscoffeebar.com.

“This isn’t just like another coffee shop in the area. We want to make coffee the vehicle into which we’re manifesting a deeper level of development and community in the area,” said McDaniel.

From the moment you get in line, you immediately feel like you’re a part of the Trellis family with kind staff, conversational spaces and a welcoming environment. It’s more than coffee, it’s an experience.

Contact Erin Colley at ecolley@augusta.edu.

Before and after of the front counter. (photo by Erin Colley)

Local artist, Autumn Von Plinsky created a custom mural on the outside of Trellis Coffee Bar. (photos by Erin Colley)