Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Ann Behiry.
Mary Ann, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
We previously owned a very successful home improvement company and decided we wanted a change — something that did not depend on the weather. My stepson always wanted to own a coffee shop, and after exchanging lots of different ideas and thoughts, we all agreed that was exactly what our community needed.
The only location that was available at the time was an old Dollar Store in a Kroger shopping center. It had neon yellow walls, a drop ceiling with ugly stained panels and a vinyl tile floor. It was larger than what we wanted (3800 square feet), but with no other available properties, we took it.
Immediately we went to work ripping out the ceiling and the floor. We had to add plumbing and electricity for the bar and a wall to create a kitchen.
My passion is interior design, and I wanted our shop to have a theme that included rustic, industrial and vintage décor with comfy couches, local art, and even a “Kids Corner!” We scoured estate sales, garage sales, and Craigslist and found everything we needed. We added a stage for live music and a bar with craft beer, wine, and signature cocktails. The bathrooms are hidden from the dining room with a large barn door.
The menu was a top priority. We wanted to serve breakfast, lunch, tapas, and desserts. We created signature sandwiches that no one else had, and we even have porridge for breakfast.
It was a learning experience. We had never built a coffee shop before, and all of the work was done by us. We have now been in business for 2 1/2 years, and I love it! We have our regular customers that come in every day, and we simply love our community! Choices for breakfast and lunch that are all made to order. Have you ever tried Porridge?
Well, we make it fresh every morning, and you can’t get it anywhere else! We have a wide variety of desserts too! Cakes from Athens, GA, Cheesecakes, Pies & Gelato!
Has it been a smooth road?
Starting a new business is always a learning experience. Since we had never owned a restaurant, there were so many things we had to figure out. Health Department codes and regulations, licenses, where to buy supplies and food. Who should we use to roast our coffee? The list goes on and on.
We started with a business plan; figuring out our demographics, costs, liabilities, profit & loss, employees, hours of operation and goals. We changed our food supplier three times. We changed our Point of Sale system three times. We bought many things that are now sitting on shelves in my garage. I am still learning on a daily basis.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Mocha Moe’s – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Mocha Moe’s is a coffeehouse. I like to use that word instead of coffee shop because of the size and scope of operation. We not only have amazing coffee, we have a very unique menu with breakfast, lunch, tapas, desserts, a full bar, and live music. We have a kids corner that features chalkboard walls, books, and a giant beanbag chair.
We have something for everyone. Our décor is eclectic. Pieces gathered from all over. There is no other shop that looks like ours. We are a family/veteran-owned small business competing with giant billion dollar corporations, so we strive to give our customers an experience like no other.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
We are literally located at the corner where four cities merge — Flowery Branch, Braselton, Hoschton, and Buford. We have very large subdivisions surrounding our shop — Chateau Elan, Reunion, Sterling on the Lake, Deaton Creek, just to name a few.
Each one has over 600 homes. We have a brand new hospital 1/4 mile down the road, and our area is growing in leaps and bounds! They just cleared the land for a new luxury apartment complex across the street.
Even though the area is growing rapidly, it still has a small town feel. We have our regular customers. Neighbors gather, kids play together, and it is a safe community to raise a family. I don’t think there is anything I dislike about it.
Pricing:
- All of our food options are under $10.00
- A cup of excellent fresh brewed coffee is still just $2.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 7380 Spout Springs Road #140
Flowery Branch, GA 30542 - Website: www.mochamoes.com
- Phone: 678-210-5801
- Email: info@mochamoes.com
- Instagram: mochamoes
- Facebook: mochamoescoffee
Image Credit:
David Kosiba
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let
