Treat yourself to a little escape and enjoy Italian coffee, pastries, and more at Illy Caffé in Merchants’ Square. Photo by Corey Miller.
Frothy Moon
Pull up to the Coffee Bar at Frothy Moon, where friendly staff like Kendall Kinsman can pour you a beer, an espresso, or a tasty non-alcoholic beverage. Photo by Corey Miller.
First-time visitors at Frothy Moon Brewhouse will be struck by the impressive stonework of the outdoor covered area, featuring plenty of seating and firepits. Owner Conor Halfpenny said the credit for the layout goes to the previous owner who operated a landscaping store on the property.
When co-owner Melissa Trainum saw the “for sale” sign on the drive to Jamestown Island, it was a quick decision. “I don’t think there was even a second thought,” Halfpenny said.
Surrounded by red maple, chrysanthemum and lavender cotton, the patio is outfitted for all a remote worker’s needs, with plenty of outlets and reliable Wi-Fi. If the weather’s not cooperating, explore the expansive indoors, made larger by the outer space imagery. “The moon was something my mom always had going,” Halfpenny said. “She actually had a shop about a quarter-mile away called Silver Moon.”
Plug in at the counter and tackle your workload with the help of an Ecuadorian-sourced latte, or if you’re wrapping up in the afternoon, ease into off-hours with one of Frothy Moon’s craft beers like the Moonwalker or a non-alcoholic option like their house-made root beer.
Is it “bring your kid to work” day? (Is it every day?) There are baby changing stations in the restrooms as well as ring toss games and a mini putt-putt course outside. “I still have a young family,” Trainum said. “It’s important to have places in town where you can bring everyone.”
Frothy Moon invites you to celebrate their one-year anniversary this October as they strive to keep building on the out-of-this-world foundation they’ve established. “You have some awesome coffee shops in town,” Halfpenny said. “We just hope our coffees are in that conversation.”
Frothy Moon I frothymoonbrewhouse.com
Kingship Brewing Co.
Kingship Brewing Co. ownership designed their cafe area to embody cozy living room vibes. Photo by Corey Miller.
Stumbling upon Kingship, tucked away in a small strip mall along U.S. Route 60, puts the remote worker in a dilemma—do you tell your colleagues about the big-city quality coffee and lush décor, or do you keep it to yourself?
Owner Elliott Schweickert wants you to tell everyone. He and his wife acquired what used to be a coffee bean and kombucha production facility and added the café parlor this summer after nine months of renovations, and it shows.
The vision was for the space to feel like a cozy living room, Schweickert said. Greenery hangs from the walls, framing the rustic furniture, including cushy leather chairs and sofas.
“We wanted to communicate belonging, authenticity and creativity,” Schweickert said. “This coffee shop came right after COVID, so we were dreaming about what does it look like for people to come to a place and discover reconnection?”
Long tables are placed to host work meetings, planned or spontaneous. Schweickert and his wife met at a coffee shop, so designing a social space that sparks imagination is personal. He wants feedback from remote workers on how they can make the space more suitable to their needs.
“I would love to see coffee shops become more than just about the product, but about a culture of creativity,” Schweickert said. “Music, art, whatever—that’s a big deal to me.”
As for the growing coffee scene in Williamsburg, Schweickert welcomes it. “When there’s competition, the quality goes up,” he said.
Kingship Brewing Co. I kingshipbrewingco.com
Spoke + Art Provisions Co.
Spoke + Art Provisions Co. is located along the Virginia Capital Trail, Spoke + Art is a refuge for remote professionals who prefer lots of options when it comes to snacks and drinks to fuel their workflow. Photo by Corey Miller.
Like retreating to a cabin in the woods, stopping by Spoke + Art offers the satisfaction of getting out of town for a day trip while also providing the necessary ingredients to get work done.
Conceptualized as a trail stop along the Virginia Capital Trail, owner Steve Rose opened the combination café-convenience store in 2020. Remote workers will not be in want of food and beverage options, with a camp-like store full of cold beverages and snacks, as well as sammies and hot coffee drinks.
Manager David Berger, who met Rose through the local running club, said government officials and teachers can often be found catching up on emails or grading papers on the large porch, sheltered by a large tent from Rose’s event rentals business.
“A lot of people thought we’re a bike shop,” Berger said. “We’re trying to break into more of that coffee shop [scene].”
As implied by the business name, art plays a prominent role in the store’s aesthetic. Those in need of inspiration can find it seated by the indoor gallery, with paintings and other pieces from local artists. Resident art teacher Jenny Pitcher acts as a curator for the store, and a community-made painted wine bottle exhibit brightens the atmosphere outside.
“Things like that make Spoke + Art a unique place,” Berger said. “Coffee shops offer that place where you can sit down and have a conversation, face to face, and interact with people from your community.”
Spoke + Art Provisions Co. I spokeandart.com
Illy Caffé
Illy Caffé transports patrons to a European bistro, replete with art, atmosphere, and coffee machines to bring the experience back home! Photo by Corey Miller.
Last but not least, the Illy Caffé in Merchant’s Square caters to remote workers and students alike with a European-style coffee selection, pastries and other tasty treats. At a central location and minutes away from the College of William & Mary, the cosmopolitan interior or the heated patio serve as an ideal halfway point for collaborators.
A one-off self-care appointment can quickly turn into a networking opportunity at Illy, where professionals can be spotted table-hopping from conversation to conversation in the trendy diner-styled arrangement.
Whether you are a remote worker or just need a place to get some work done, you can contribute to the growing Williamsburg coffee scene by trying one of these fantastic options, or venturing out and exploring others!
Illy Caffé I facebook.com/illycaffewilliamsburg