Coffee, Conversation & Community in Round Top

Positively Inspirational: A Monthly Spotlight

In this monthly series, local realtor Andrea Schutter Riebeling does a Q & A with local business leaders about what inspires them. This month’s spotlight is on Carolyn McNellie and her husband Johnnie, who own Round Top Coffee Shop.

1. What is the name of your business?

Round Top Coffee Shop, formerly known as Espressions Coffee Shop.

2. How did you get started? We lived in the Lewisville, Flower Mound area. Johnnie is a concert artist, musician, and fused glass artist. He served in several churches in the Dallas Ft Worth Metroplex as Fine Artists Pastor. I worked in retirement financing in Dallas. In August 2013 we visited Round Top for the first time and the dream began. We were able to be a dealer in the fall show that same year at Henkle Square. We represented three other artists from the Dallas area. When the antique show ended we found ourselves wondering what to do next. In 2007 we had a vision of opening a coffee house to serve the community. We never dreamed it would be in Round Top. It quickly became apparent that this was the path for us to follow. We learned more about Festival Hill. As musicians, we fell in love with Festival Hill and the exquisite concert series in the summer. So we retired from our work and we relocated to Round Top. We opened right before the spring show. It was God leading the way. He closed one door and fully opened a new door. Almost nine years and 18 shows later we are still loving the place, the townspeople, and the visitors we are able to meet. It is quite a special place.

3. How long have we been in business?

We opened March 11, 2013 in a little garage type building that had been a coffee shop several years before. It was located next to where we are currently located. It was all ready for us to move in. Then on March 11, 2017, to the day, we moved to our current location, 111 W. Wantke. Mark Massey found a house that was bigger and fit the development plan he had for Rummel Square at the time.

The house originally came from Ellinger and belonged to Benny Volchek. One day Benny came into our shop and told us he had grown up in the house and that he was born in the house and also his father. So, the house dates back to civil war years. For several years Benny would come to the coffee shop and celebrate his birthday. His 93rd birthday was the last birthday we celebrated in his house before his passing a couple of years ago.

4. What kind of service do you provide?

We provide a safe place for community, interesting conversation, and knowledge of all sorts. Our large table was noted as the table of knowledge a few years back. Townsfolk are really good at imparting their knowledge to anyone who will listen. Actually, very interesting conversations take place everyday around the table. Of course we offer great coffee, espresso drinks, homemade blueberry muffins, quiche cups, breakfast tacos, etc. Our logo is “come for the coffee stay for the community!”

We have several Bible studies that meet on a weekly or biweekly basis.

• Men’s Bible Study meets at 7 a.m. every Wednesday;

• a study called “For Such a Time as This” (a Revelation study) meets every Thursday at 5 p.m.

• Women’s Bible study on the women of the Bible that meets every other Wednesday at 1 p.m.

5.Tell us something unique about your business. Do you have your own art work?

The art we showcase is from local and outside artists. We represent about four or five artists at any given time.

6. Advice to others who want to venture out to do this?

I have a business degree and

a business background. No. 1, do your research, take time to talk to owners in the same business, spend time on a detailed business plan, if you need to, get some training. Johnnie worked for Starbucks for about seven months to learn the business. We spent many hours with our roaster to learn all he could teach us. Start with what you have and take time to establish the business. “Do your homework,” gather people around you to help and support. We had all of these things. The rest came as we went. God has been so good to us to give us this opportunity.

10. Talk about the name change of the business?

We were originally Espressions Coffee Shop. In 2018 we changed the name to Round Top Coffee Shop. We owned the name Espressions Coffee Shop in Texas but not nationally.

A roaster in Phoenix informed us they owned the national name. At that point, it was easier to go ahead and change the name to Round Top Coffee Shop. We had fun with customer’s input as we held a naming contest of sorts.

11:What do you love about Fayette County?

It’s a great place to live. Wonderful people established Round Top decades ago. and wonderful people are moving here and keeping it relevant. We love the history, the stories bring us together. Round Top is a small town where big things happen. the Antique Shows, Festival Hill concert hall and the musical season in June and July, Shakespeare in Winedale, in the summer. The beautiful RT family library, great school system, historical buildings, historical churches, Round Top Retreat, and the great people that provide the services we all appreciate.

Come for the coffee and stay for community!