September 1, entrepreneur Breanna Irwin unveiled a new business venture on the corner of Jiles Road and Old 41: The Local Doe. This budding bounty of brewed beans — a delightful coffee shop — promises a fresh note following Kennesaw Coffee Company’s respected reign within the Desktop Coworking Community. Though the shop continues to serve patrons of the office rental company, the new iteration took to social media over the past two months to inspire families, commuters and those seeking a space to catch up with an old friend to stop by. With the revamped atmosphere and menu, the cafe sets itself apart from its predecessor.
“The coffee shop has been here for seven or eight years, and at the end of or [in] mid-August, I heard of the opportunity that the previous owner wanted to sell. That’s when it came on my radar, about mid-August, and then we took over September 1st. My initiative with this was for it to be a space for everybody, not just folks who wanted to work here. I wanted it to be a coffee shop where you can come and hang out, do homework, you can bring your kids, and they can play. You can also, of course, work, but I want it to be more of a multi-function space and not just work-inspired. I am in the process of getting a mural on the side of the wall, and I wanted to add that hometown feeling. I want it to be a fun environment on the inside,” Irwin said.
The Local Doe opens each weekday at 7 a.m. and closes at 2 p.m., and though it closes on Sundays, Saturday’s 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. hours promise an opportunity for weekend excursions. For NC students, this spot might sit on the route to school, and if they seek a new stop, a quick kick of coffee from this location’s drive-thru compares to one from Dunkin’ or Starbucks — with the added bonus of supporting a local business.
“I love The Local Doe because they have such a cute and cozy environment, and going there is the perfect place to study or meet up with friends. My favorite drink there is the Lavender Fields latte because it has such a nice feel to it, and it’s so delicious with the lavender and sweetness. I’d recommend it for its amazing vibes,” magnet senior Marielle Parker said.
The new ownership introduces menu items that send shockwaves through the local community. Vietnamese-inspired coffee grows into a favorite option for caffeine addicts, and its coffee-on-coffee flavor sets the shop apart from its neighbors. The new introduction, which exploded The Local Doe’s popularity, begins with a pail. Coffee buckets contain four shots of espresso or oodles of cold brew, and although they might not fit in a cupholder, they can hold practically any type of iced latte. After a September 14 Instagram post highlighted the creative cup, the video gained over 94 thousand views, and the two-week-old revival earned follower after follower. Now, these handled vats of joe hold a prominent place both on the cafe’s social media, but also in the hands of coffee lovers across Kennesaw.
“It was important to me to have the local pastries and have the local coffee beans that are roasted up the street, and then also being able to give back to the community locally. One of my favorite things [on the menu] is a Vietnamese-style coffee. It’s very strong: It’s shots of espresso inside either a cold brew or a hot coffee, so it really brings a punch, and I love our cold brew,” Irwin said.
Currently, the shop offers a seasonal menu full of autumnal flavors. The Golden Doe, a caramel whipped macchiato, offers a classic flavor, but drinks including the Candy Corn Macchiato, Cookie Butter Latte and Pumpkin Chai each offer flavors beloved for their uniquely annual cycle of popularity. These specials appeal to adults, but for parents, an option for children who might tag along becomes a necessity. The Local Doe offers a Bambi menu for the folks who might not need a bucket quite yet. From a hot chocolate to a smoothie, these options provide part of the family-friendly feeling at the establishment.
All in all, The Local Doe promises to take Kennesaw by storm. With its creative menu items and familial atmosphere, the cafe aims to become a community space. This place can stagger those who grow buck-wild over coffee, thanks, in part, to Irwin’s fawning over its success.
