Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1425179
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM NOVEMBER 3-9, 2021 UCW 17 When it comes to Cool Spring Downtown District, there is a new kid on the block. In the spot formerly occu- pied by The Coffee Cup, 108 Hay St., Vagabond Café is put- ting down roots. The owner, Nancy Ramos, was bit by the coffee bug while working as a barista in a popu- lar coffee chain during her un- dergraduate college days. She participated in coffee tastings, read up, attended more train- ing all in an effort to make the best cup of coffee. Coffee is her passion. Ramos was a coffee enthu- siast in college, but it wasn't until 2019 that she bought the espresso machine she uses now. Six months after the purchase she started her com- pany. When the opportunity arose to buy a camper van she took a chance. She then turned it into the mobile Vagabond Café. By January 2021, she was working her business full time. Luckily for Vagabond Café the business was not really impacted by COVID-19. "We are mobile, so no one was coming into a shop," Ra- mos explains. Ramos' dedication to the perfect cup of coffee is not just lip service. Her coffee beans are single source, direct trade produce, and Ramos has close relation- ships with everyone from the farmer to her roaster. This en- sures a high quality, fresh cup of coffee every time. She is passionate about the process. "I like the coffee itself and the science behind it," Ra- mos said. "It is a lot more than brewing coffee. Different regions roast coffee beans to bring out the notes the coffee was meant to have. I like the interaction," Ramos said. "I sell an experience people cannot get anywhere else." Ramos's coffee beverages are unlike any other coffee served on Hay Street now. Her Mexi- can heritage is the inspiration for some of her coffees. Utilizing ingredients and flavors familiar to her such as those she imports from places such as Teocaltiche in the Mexican state of Jalisco. She has created specialty drinks such as "Frida" which is a hibiscus tea and cold brew. Her mother passed down a recipe for "Horta" which is popular. The drink is milk- based with cinnamon and espresso. Ramos strives to use au- thentic ingredients. "I also use Mexican cinnamon, "said Ramos. She will also have pas- tries available in the shop and is currently talking to a local baker. "We love seeing our ven- dors leap from mobile units to storefronts," said Bianca Shoneman, CEO, Cool Spring Downtown District. "When we set out to host the District Summer Market, we designed it to be an incubator for our vendors so they could move up the entrepreneurial food chain," Shoneman said. "It's a pleasure to see Nancy grow in her business, especial- ly in downtown Fayetteville." When asked if she will con- tinue to use the camper, Ra- mos said very enthusiastically, "Absolutely, it is the heart of the company." Ramos views her company as a great success. "It isn't all about the money," explained Ramos. "It makes me happy to change people's mindset about wanting specialty coffee." Bringing her Latin heritage to the Cool Spring Downtown District is something Ramos finds very exciting. There will be 2 – 3, employ- ees working hard to create scrumptious beverages for Vagabond's patrons. Vagabond Café's grand open- ing will be Nov. 5. The shops hours of operation will be Monday — Saturday from 7:30 a.m. — 6 p.m. Vagabond Café opens downtown by ELAINA J MARTIN Nancy Ramos ELAINA J. MARTIN, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200. 1 PHIL WICKHAM House Of The Lord 2 CASTING CROWNS Scars In Heaven 3 MATTHEW WEST What If 4 ANNE WILSON My Jesus 5 JEREMY CAMP When You Speak 6 TASHA LAYTON Look What You've Done 7 TAUREN WELLS Until Grace f/Rascal Flatts 8 EVAN CRAFT Be Alright 9 FOR KING & COUNTRY Relate 10 WE ARE MESSENGERS Come What May Nancy Ramos stands in front of her camper van ready to serve hand-crafted beverages. FEATURE