Meet Katie Greene of Birdies Coffee & Treats

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Greene.

Hi Katie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
Birdies is about two best friends chasing simplicity and a love of coffee, treats, quality time, and community. Our vision took flight in May of 2022 after careful consideration and a desire to build a family business together. Birdies values partnership and we have sought out some of the best in the industry to help us spread our wings. 

After 6 months of operating out of a camper on 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock, NC, Birdies Coffee & Treats was approached by Watauga Medical Center about opening up in the main floor of the Schaefer Family Patient Tower. We have been honored to have the opportunity to now serve hospital staff, patients, & visitors since September of 2023. 

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?
The road was certainly bumpy. But bumpy feels less scary when you know you are walking the path that was meant for you. Also helps knowing you aren’t walking the path alone. Starting a business with your best friend definitely has its perks! 

Biggest struggle was learning how to initially establish the business. Requirements on the state and federal level, sales tax, etc. Neither of us come from a business background so we had to lean into those around us that had the knowledge. 

Neither of us had prior barista experience, so quite the learning curve there as well! Our bean providers, Local Lion in Boone, NC, came in clutch in this department. Incredibly helpful in advising on machines, equipment calibration, and barista basics. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
Birdies Coffee & Treats aims to connect the community through locally sourced coffee, teas, and treats. Our focus is on providing a high-quality, consistent product with next-level customer service. 

We take a creative approach to drink development and presentation. We are always finding ways to combine flavor profiles for a unique customer experience while also putting a fun twist on the drink names and descriptions. We also want to have options for the non-coffee drinkers and offer unique chai and matcha drinks. 

Our location is also super special. We are situated on the 321 Middle Fork Greenway trailhead have river access, so it is perfect for those who wish to enjoy the beauty of the mountain trails and river as well. When the weather is nice, folks will come and grab a cup and sit by the river and read or enjoy time with friends. 

Building a brand takes hard work and intention. Our goal has never been to compete with the other coffee shops in the area – more to fill gaps within the community and bring visibility to other local businesses that we love. We value keeping things as local as possible – beans, pastries, teas, etc. We are also champions for our community and strive to give back whenever we can. Sometimes that is with donations, transaction “roundups”, special events, fundraisers, etc. 

In September of 2022, we hosted our first Makers Nest event for the community at the camper location, where we invited local artists and makers to share their craft. The event has grown in popularity, and we are honored to help in providing visibility to the talents of the folks here in the High Country. 

What are your plans for the future?
The expansion into Watauga Medical Center took a lot of time, energy, and discernment. We went from the two of us operating the camper by ourselves to adding 8 baristas and a second location. Although we are taking a moment to settle, we are always keeping an open mind to opportunities in the future. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.birdies.coffee/
• Instagram: @birdies.coffee
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/birdiescoffeeandtreats

Image Credits
Cartner Photography