ASHEVILLE: A new coffee shop is bringing vintage vibes to South Asheville.
Retro Coffee opened earlier this week at 2619 Sweeten Creek Road, just north of Givens Estates and off of Park Avenue.
Owner Clare Lecroy is planning a grand opening celebration this month with details to be announced. For now, she is settling into her role as a first-time entrepreneur and head chef.
Lecroy, who moved to Asheville from Mobile, Alabama, six years ago, has worked and managed other coffee shops. Even though he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with an environmental concentration, he couldn’t stop calling the cafe.
“I just fell in love with being a barista and kept doing it,” he said.
Now, she has a store to call her own.
“The experience of being in a coffee shop… You have quality coffee, excellent baristas and a friendly environment. I think it makes the cup of coffee,” Lecroy said.
Traditional espresso drinks and “funky” syrup-based drinks are at the core of Retro Coffee’s regular menu. Offerings range from filter coffee and lattes to classic Americano and cortado.
Lecroy sources a sustainable specialty coffee roaster, Counter Culture Coffee. Milk alternatives and a variety of flavored syrups can be added to a cup.
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“My personal favorite depends on the time of day,” Lecroy said. “I’m a drip coffee, a splash of almond milk in the morning. And then in the middle of the day, I like an iced oatmeal latte, usually with a bit of lavender or a bit of chai.”
Retro Coffee’s fall specialty menu includes Hallows Eve, a salted caramel mocha, and Parkway Drive, a brown sugar latte.
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“People are definitely rocking Funky Pumpkin,” Lecroy said. “It’s like a cold pumpkin spice brew with a cold oat milk froth on top that has a little bit of pumpkin in it.”
Non-coffee drinks include matcha and chai lattes and tea will be added soon.
The cakes are sourced by Back Porch Baking, a small Asheville business that specializes in vegan products.
“Everyone has loved them, so we will definitely continue to wear them,” Lecroy said.
The retro theme is carried through the store in its décor and selection of music that plays from the ceiling. The furniture was purchased from thrift stores and the playlist features tracks from the likes of Earth, Wind and Fire and Dolly Parton mixed with contemporary tunes.
“Everything here is the general atmosphere. We are trying to give an artistic and welcoming environment,” she said.
Local art is displayed on the walls and is available for purchase. Iris’ Folk Medicinals and Oxsam clothing are a couple of local brands on the shelves.
“We’re trying to do a lot of art and vendors. We want to give people a space here in South Asheville,” Lecroy said.
Lecroy would like to introduce later night events, such as game nights and open mics, and add more outdoor seating.
Retro Coffee is dog friendly.
“I want this to be a space where the community feels at home when they come here,” Lecroy said. “I want this to be like you can have a first date here. They can get together for a business meeting. Or just hang out. It’s just a welcoming and warm space for everyone.”
retro coffee
Where: 2619 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville
Hours: Monday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
8 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday
Tuesday closed
Info: For more details, visit retrocoffee.square.site and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @retroavl.
Tiana Kennell is the lunch and dinner reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter/Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Help support this type of journalism with a subscription to Citizen Times.