Community Highlights: Meet Kimberly Griggers of CJ’s Coffee Barn

Hello! My name is Kimberly Griggers. I completed a Barista/owner training course at the Seattle Barista Academy before relocating to TN and purchasing a latte stand to serve the people of Winchester, TN.

I feel like I have a unique story, so buckle up!

I relocated to Tennessee from Washington state about 2 years ago. I met my husband online! Facebook, actually. He lived in Nashville, TN and once we got to know each other better we realized how beautifully our goals and lifestyles aligned.

With that in mind, he told me he was set to retire in 3 years time and if I decided to hitch my wagon to his we could move anywhere!

How is a gal supposed to turn down a handsome man willing to go anywhere for her? So, I decided to fly to Nashville to meet this dream man.

We spent approximately 18 days together before I informed him of all the places to live, I wanted to live in beautiful Tennessee.

He said okay but please don’t say Nashville!

Immediately, we started our plans to build a life together and merge our wonderful families. This all started in July of 2021 and by February of 2022, my (then) 12-year-old son and I were packed up and headed for the Volunteer state.

I have always dreamed of owning my own latte stand – after all I lived in Washington. Ralph and I weren’t planning on purchasing a farm but when we came across 23 acres in Belvidere, TN. we couldn’t pass it up!

We purchased the farm and stayed on the weekends (in a 5th wheel I might add) until renovations were complete. However, on these weekend visits, I was always searching for the best place to get a coffee. There was a little latte stand that I wanted to try but it was never open! One weekend I was browsing Facebook and see that the latte stand (that I still haven’t had the opportunity to try) was closing and going on the market!

I messaged my realtor immediately and within two days, we were signing the paperwork. The latte stand was now mine; all 94 square feet!

Ralph and I were supposed to get married on November 5th, 2022 but life had other plans for us so we went ahead and legally got married on April 27th, 2022. Between running the latte stand and holding down the farm while Ralph (my husband) worked full-time in Nashville we only get to spend quality time with each other on the weekends.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a smooth road for the most part with the actual purchase of the business and integration with the community. And we have gained so many friendships that feel like family! There are so many strong businesswomen in this town who truly support each other.

I try to focus on my blessings but it isn’t always easy. The one reoccurring struggle is operating out of a small building; do people know we are open, what we do, what we do and what we offer? I am currently in the process of purchasing a larger stand for Winchester and then opening another location (hopefully) in Franklin County!

We’ve been impressed with CJ’s Coffee Barn, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a 94-square-foot drive-thru latte stand. We offer espresso, smoothies, cold brews, frappes, lotus lattes, and so much more. We offer over 70 flavors.

It sounds cliche but I truly believe what sets us apart is our coffee! We get our beans from Middle Fork roasters in Seattle Washington; they have over 30 years combined experience in roasting. Through them my husband and I were able to create a custom blend with a private label to use for our drip coffee and our cold brew. Selecting our blend was a lot of fun!

Everyone wants to know who is CJ or what it stands for? So here it is! We are a family focused company so it only made sense to take our children’s names and incorporate it into our own name! My husband’s children’s names are Jeff and Callie and my two youngest are Jacob and Caleb so that’s how we arrived at “CJ’s” Coffee Barn!

Networking and finding a mentor can have a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?

I try to learn something new from every person I encounter but if I had to pick one person I would say Jessie Lee – a social media boss.

I also actively network with local business owners, especially Cynthia from about town apparel. We collaborate on a lot of things!

It’s especially helpful that we share the same digital marketer who helps a lot with our networking and online communications.

In addition to being a member of the local chamber of commerce I’m also in the local Franklin county Beauties in Business! We currently have over 400 members.