After years of experience and diligent loyalty to the coffee industry, Andy Mumma built his own coffee shop, Barista Parlor. Mumma tells us how he developed one of the most popular destinations in East Nashville.
What inspired Barista Parlor?
My mom. She always encouraged me to open my own place and follow my dreams. I worked in specialty coffee 16 years before I was able to open Barista Parlor. She knew it was my passion, and I will always remember her loving words and smile when I told her I was going to make Barista happen one way or another! Unfortunately she passed away before I was able to open, but I know she's proud of me and would love what BP is and what it has become.
How has your upbringing influenced your intentions as a business owner?
Growing up Mennonite definitely taught me to work hard. When I do something, I do it all the way or not at all. Growing up on a farm taught me to appreciate local, handmade goods and appreciate other people who are talented at what they do. I try to support all my friends that create quality products and integrate them into BP. I love Tennessee and the South in general; it's my home. Hospitality goes hand in hand with our location. It's important that people have a special experience overall, because that's what I want it to be--more of an experience rather then just a caffeine and breakfast fix.
What do you hope the aesthetic of the shop conveys to your customers?
I want people to walk into Barista Parlor and realize we do things differently, that they can come in, have an amazing cup of coffee and a biscuit, have a great conversation and be relaxed by the environment. Everyone who is a part of BP is extremely detail oriented and works very hard to make sure the way BP looks and feels when you walk in is inviting. My goal was to create a space that is inspiring for others too and encompassed all of my passions: coffee, art, design, and vintage transportation.
Do you ride a motorcycle?
Yeah! All the bikes in the shop are mine. The one I ride the most is a black all original BMW 1967 R69S. I'm really inspired by transportation in general and love the freedom it gives me. Going on a ride on some back roads to clear my head is the best thing ever! It can be on my bike or truck (1950 Ford F1).
How did you source all the varied materials that lend Barista Parlor its distinct aesthetic?
The furniture is made from various types of wood, all from Tennessee, and all over 100+ years old and sourced by us. Holler Design made a lot of our furniture at their family farm workshop. Local craftsman Aaron Rosburg, Martin Cadieux, Josh Nava and others also built great pieces in our space. Bryce McCloud from Isle of Printing made our menus and "Alpha Boy" wooden table markers. He also created our letter-pressed mural of "The Prussian,” a ship that sank in the 20's, which also had the largest payload of any vessel at the time. It's actually the world's largest iPhone enhanced letter-pressed mural! We have great partnerships with local friends and makers like Emil Erwin, who on top of making amazing bags makes our waxed canvas aprons, Otis James makes our caps, and Imogene + Willie makes our jeans.
How do you choose which coffees, teas, food products and menu options to carry?
We focus on carrying the highest quality coffees, offering a range of origins that are in season. All of our products are as fresh as they can get. We get our sausage from Porter Road Butcher, who are literally our neighbors. We don't want any preservatives or fillers in our food. Everything is house-made, including our biscuits, jam and pickles. I guess it's another result of growing up on a farm and seeing my mom canning every year. Craft chocolate is also something we enjoy pairing with our coffees. We carry almost a dozen of the absolute best American craft chocolate makers in the USA!
Where do you stand on fair trade certification vs. direct trade?
Fair trade is definitely a good thing in the industry, but direct trade is all about relationships with the farmers. We want to know the people we'll source our beans from, visit their farms and pay them above and beyond what the "fair trade" minimum is. That's why we work with the roasters we currently do—because they directly trade with farmers and have unique coffees that are only available to them. We will begin roasting our own coffees when we open Barista Parlor Golden Sound this spring, and our goals with our coffee sourcing will be the absolute 99.9% highest quality micro-lots, separation lots, direct trade, seasonal, sourced from either organic producers or those working with sustainable practices coffees.
What role do you want Barista Parlor to play in the community of East Nashville?
We love East Nashville. We love Nashville in general! Barista Parlor is here to serve the neighborhood and city and continue to give national spotlight to our wonderful craft! We are a shop filled with coffee professionals who love to have fun but take this very serious in our approach. It's a career choice not a part time job. Customers know that and trust what we make them, they will love. I've lived in this neighborhood myself for over a decade. I want to have a place that I'd be proud to have in my neighborhood. We want the people that live here to have a place to come hang out with their friends and feel inspired by having an exceptional product, whether it be coffee, chocolate, pastry or biscuit.
Story by Jodi Cash
Photographs by Emily B. Hall