Today we’d like to introduce you to Meyer Gray.
Hi Meyer, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Anyone that knows me knows that horses and coffee are what keep me going and keep me sane. Horses have been a major part of my life since I was 5 years old, barrel racing and the western life style made me who I am today. Since I was a teenager I knew I wanted to own a business but wasn’t exactly sure what it would be until my early twenties when I became obsessed with all things coffee. I knew then that I wanted to own a coffee shop and more specifically a western themed one. In my adult life I’ve traveled out west where I’ve visited some cowboy towns that have cute western coffee shops which fueled my dreams even more. I also love all things vintage/antique so I wanted to bring those things together to create my coffee shop. That is where the name Vintage Saddle comes from; I also knew I wanted to create a brand that not only represented the aesthetic I wanted but would stand out on merch. The Upstate has a very diverse coffee scene with shops that are all unique in their own way, I wanted to be a part of that club but also shed some light on the western/horse community we have here in the Carolinas. Our mural which is one of the first things you see when you walk in has all local livestock brands from around the Upstate and lower North Carolina.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not, opening a business is a big risk. You definitely have to be passionate about your brand and what you’re doing to make all the road bumps worth it. I’d say my biggest obstacle was licensing, inspections and just recently some equipment failure that needed to be replaced.
We’ve been impressed with Vintage Saddle Coffee Co, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We specialize in espresso based drinks both traditional espresso like a cappuccino or flat white and non traditional like flavored lattes and dirty sodas (soda with flavoring and cream). I think with us being so new we are known for currently our aesthetic and some of our more popular drinks like the John Wayne a shaken espresso and the Vintage Saddle a lavender and honey latte. I feel like what sets us apart is our unique flavor combos in our drinks. I’m most proud of bringing my dreams and plans to life and see customers faces light up when they drink our coffee. I want the readers to know that we use mostly all local goods such as our coffee roaster, tea/matcha, milk, pastries, honey and local goods we sell.
How do you think about happiness?
My husband, my son, my animals and the shop. Although I spend a lot more effort and time on the shop, owning this business allows me to enjoy the little things. It doesn’t feel like a job.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vintagesaddlecoffee/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Vintage-Saddle-Coffee-Co-61573729529371/
