Brewing a Coffee Dream

For Steve and Pam Lewis, a ferry ride sparked the small-batch coffee brand and Boiling Spring Lakes cafe known as Bald Head Coffee.

When Steve and Pam Lewis ferried their way from Southport to Bald Head Island in 2017, they did not just admire the sandy dunes and sea breeze — they found inspiration for a business venture.

That ferry ride sparked the creation of Bald Head Coffee, a concept wrapped up in the island’s relaxed, coastal vibe with a wink to Steve’s receding hairline. The tagline came soon after: “Coffee as smooth as a Bald Head.”

From that moment, their vision for what would become Bald Head Coffee & Tea House took shape. The couple longed for a place where locals and visitors could gather, sip something special and enjoy a bit of the coast in every cup. With Steve’s prior experience in the coffee industry and a shared love for the region, they began online in spring 2020, selling beans and cold brew while plotting their live space in the heart of Brunswick County.

Their first in-person steps were at farmers markets. In October 2020 the Lewises set up at the Oak Island Farmers Market, and by 2021 their presence at Southport and Sunset Beach markets followed. Locals began recognizing them; vacationers discovered their blends, took a bag home then decided they wanted more.

“By 2021 our customers began ordering online after leaving the region from their vacations in the Southport, Oak Island and Bald Head Island area,” Steve says. “Today our coffee and tea are shipped to all 48 contiguous states!”

Their motto says it best: “Freshest coffee beans delivered direct to your home or business….Coffee as smooth as a Bald Head.”

Blends like Old Baldy (Pam’s favorite, a medium roast with caramel and toffee flavor) or Sea Salt Caramel Mocha (Steve’s pick) reflect the fun, coastal-friendly direction. Their signature Coastal Blend is a popular choice with its smooth medium roast and medium body.

The branding may be playful, but the mission is grounded. They roast 100 percent Arabica beans in small batches right in the Carolinas. Blends originate from Kenya, Costa Rica, Peru and Honduras — and the Lewises pick them with one aim: smoothness.

“Our beans are sourced from all over the world,” Steve says. “Every flavor and blend are chosen with purpose. We want every cup to be smooth, balanced and roasted to perfection.”

In time, the momentum pushed Bald Head Coffee beyond local markets and online, culminating in the opening of Bald Head Coffee & Tea House in Boiling Spring Lakes in October of 2023. The cafe features a drive thru, a coffee bar and a pet-friendly patio plus more than 150 coffees and teas, extensive breakfast and lunch menus, catering and meeting space for community groups such as book clubs.

The move to a full cafe was a leap inspired by community.

“The most rewarding part of this journey has been the people,” Steve says. “We love getting to know our local customers and the vacationers who discover us while passing through. Our team truly enjoys making those real connections.”

Still, the road has not been entirely smooth. Among the challenges: steeply rising prices.

“Coffee beans, food and paper costs have gone up considerably especially in the last 12 months,” Steve says.

Add local road construction and competition into the mix, and you get a picture of a business that’s thriving but also hustling.

What sets Bald Head Coffee & Tea House apart from other coffee houses and cafes? Steve says it is not just about the flavor, it’s about how guests feel.

“We strive to give every guest a five-star experience,” he says.

That means a smile-filled greeting at the counter, a drive-thru that impresses and a patio where pup cups of fresh-made whipped cream are part of the menu. Their retail arm is robust too, with bags of beans, single-serve pods, teas, cold brew pitcher packs and gift sets lining the shelves.

Looking ahead, the Lewises have plans to expand their reach. They are growing online sales through their website, baldheadcoffee.com, and they are already in several retail stores along the East Coast. A new partnership with Blue Moon Gift Shops in Wilmington includes a presence of 14 feet of retail space for coffee, tea and gifts. And, of course, they continue to watch for new wholesale opportunities and flavors to bring to their growing audience.

For Brunswick County’s locals and visitors, Bald Head Coffee & Tea House offers more than just a cup of joe — it’s a place to soak up the coastal vibe only Bald Head offers, whether by picking up a morning Americano at the drive-thru, relaxing on the patio with an iced latte or bringing home a bag of beans to stash in the pantry and enjoy later.

“When someone takes that first sip of a Bald Head Coffee brew, they’re sure to experience the taste of the coast, the warmth of a smile, and the smooth flair of a Bald Head,” Steve says.
And as that hairline might suggest — sometimes the best things come with a little love, a lot of smoothness and just the right blend.

SIP FOR YOURSELF
Bald Head Coffee
3481 George II Highway, Boiling Spring Lakes
(800) 484-8399
baldheadcoffee.com