Brooke and Sam Souhail met working at an Italian restaurant in Wilkesboro. “We started as a dishwasher and waitress and we’ve been together since,” Brooke says. Eighteen years later, they returned to the town they fell in love in, this time as business owners. They opened Wilkes Coffee Company in December 2025, combining a thoughtfully crafted food and drink menu with a cozy refurbished garage space on West Main Street.

The Souhails opened without any expectations but the community rose to the occasion. On opening day, they sold 300 drinks and sold out of croissants. Two weeks later, they sold out entirely. “Espresso beans, cold brew, everything,” Brooke says. “It was crazy. The support from Wilkes has been amazing.”

Patio lights strung throughout the room and burlap coffee bags pinned the ceiling bring charm to the shop. photograph by Wilkes Coffee Company

Whether people come to connect, relax, or work, it’s easy to settle in. Bright red tables and chairs and a green lounge area complement the vintage Texaco station logos on the building’s exterior. Overhead, coffee bean burlap bags decorate the ceiling, a nod to the craft behind every cup. Natural light pours in through garage doors and brightens the space. Come spring, the doors will open, extending the café out to the patio’s picnic tables.

The Souhails are not new to entrepreneurship, owning Casablanca Cigar Bar in Asheville and Hendersonville, and Wall Street Market, also in Asheville. Brooke wasn’t satisfied. She graduated from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College for culinary school and worked at Cedric’s Tavern and The Stable Café at Biltmore. “Operating our other businesses wasn’t fulfilling that desire to create, and I really missed being in the kitchen.”

They moved back to Wilkesboro and stumbled upon the spot Brooke had been waiting to find. “Wilkes Coffee Company was definitely Brooke’s vision. It just had never been the right time. Even this was not the right time, but Brooke really pushed for it,” Sam says.

Homemade sauce adds the finishing touch to their avocado toast. Photography courtesy of Wilkes Coffee Company

From homemade biscuits and French toast to panini-pressed sandwiches and fresh salads, the menu satisfies a hearty appetite. “We’re really kind of a restaurant disguised as a coffee shop,” Brooke says. Their elevated avocado toast is one of their best sellers. Freshly cut avocado and Turkish-style eggs are layered on toasted Italian bread, topped with greens, house-made red pepper aioli, and a signature spice blend for an amplified combination of textures and flavors.

The drink menu receives the same thoughtful attention. “We want to make sure we bring quality across the board. We take our coffee seriously,” Brooke says. They partner with Asheville Coffee Library, keeping beans fresh and local. For those who enjoy sweet coffee drinks, try the bananas Foster cold brew, a crowd favorite. Tea, refreshers, and smoothies are offered in addition.

February’s specialty drinks feature chocolate and raspberry flavors. Photography courtesy of Wilkes Coffee Company

Commitment to quality turned the shop into a family operation. The Souhail children balance chipping in with their homeschool studies. Their eldest daughter, Lalia, nicknamed “Lolly,” is advanced at 13, training staff on the espresso machine and register. She’s even a favorite barista, often requested by customers. “She plays a big role,” Sam says. “Without her, we would really struggle.” Ryan, the youngest, works as the unofficial taste tester, while Nora dreams up new seasonal drinks — her creations are set to debut on the spring menu.

With community behind and in front of the counter, Wilkes Coffee Company is on its way to becoming a go-to gathering place in this Foothills town.

Wilkes Coffee Company
100 West Main Street
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
(336) 818-0401
wilkescoffeecompany.com