It’s been eight months since I first wrote about the pending opening for Five and Hoek (Pronounced Hook) at 200 West Magnolia. Co-owner Tyler Fivecoat had hoped he might be open in August. Instead, the coffee roastery and shop opened two days ago. I stopped in to see what was there and to catch up with Tyler.
When I arrived, I found a nice size crowd, which honestly surprised me on opening day. I returned the next day and found the same thing. Apparently, word has gotten out. I asked a number of patrons how they heard about the space and social media (Instagram) was the most common answer.
Surprisingly, several customers have come in who are from Illinois and some of them know about the location in Wheaton. His first two customers on the second day open said they had moved here from Wheaton in June and used to frequent the shop there. Tyler said he’s also drawing from people in the building and in the neighborhood, including nearby Regas Square. A friend of mine from Regas Square came in as if on cue at that point in our conversation.
A vinyl copy of Leon Bridges’ seminal Coming Home album was on the turntable, setting a perfect vibe for my taste. I enjoyed a cappuccino the first day and a drip coffee the next. Urban Woman enjoyed an iced chai and we split a cookie from The Sugar Queen. All were delicious as we sat at the window bar enjoyed looking out at the winter clouds.
Tyler said the buildout took longer than expected, though he said no matter what you hope, it’s going to be about a year. He said the permitting took much longer than anticipated and required changes in plans. Inspections, on the other hand, went very well. Some fixtures took a bit longer to arrive. He said they could have opened in mid December, but decided it would be better to wait until after the holidays.
Tyler made the bar in the window that we enjoyed. Beth’s brother fabricated the stools for the window and the two you’ll likely find his home-schooled children sitting in, working away. They seem to be fitting right in. Tyler has already picked up the supportive vibe in the city. “It’s what I love about Knoxville. It seems everyone wants to support each other’s small business.”
They’ve installed a brand-new Diedrich Roaster at which he’s been hard at work. All the coffee drinks in the store, as well as the bags for sale in the store contain coffee roasted by Tyer on premise. They also make their own syrups and caramels.
He’s been roasting for about a decade on the same company’s roaster. He said the whole-bean coffees (they can grind on request) for sale will never be older than ten-days. Roasting will happen during regular business hours and patrons are welcome to watch from the bar constructed around the roaster.
In coming months they may move in a few new bakery items. He said they will introduce seasonal drinks. They currently have two employees, though he expects they will ad more in the coming months as the business grows. That will free him up for the demand he anticipates to be more time roasting coffee. In Wheaton they had the roaster running about thirty hours a week.
They are open to supplying coffee to other shops and they plan to offer cuppings for potential retail customers, but also for the public. He said they might hold events on the days the shop is otherwise closed. He’s already had inquiries about renting the space for private parties or gatherings and he is open to that outside regular shop hours.
The shop is closed Monday and Tuesday “to start.” Wednesday through Friday the shop is open 7:00 am to 3:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. The Wheaton shop is open 7:00 am to 3:00 pm seven days a week and that may be where the Knoxville shop eventually lands. You can follow them on Instagram and check out their website for more information and for orders.