Desperate for “Friend Time”? Five Reasons You’ll Fall in Love with Cultivate Coffee

This week I’m continuing my quest for the best coffee shops in Knoxville. Today, I’m on the north side of town again, because, well, that’s the side of town I live on. For the longest time, the north side of town had nowhere to meet for a cup of coffee and conversation. But we do now. So, if you’re desperate for friend time, here are five reasons you’ll fall in love with Cultivate Coffee

Like most coffee shops, when you walk into Cultivate Coffee, you’re met by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. But that’s where the similarity ends.  You won’t find the stark industrial look of so many coffee shops, or the token potted plants that most coffee shops display.  At Cultivate Coffee you are greeted by a rainbow of flowers – a veritable feast for the eyes.

I think the best way to express it is that Cultivate Coffee and Flowers provides not only sustenance for the body but also sustenance for the soul. And this is the number one reason you’ll fall in love with this coffee shop.

As you sip your frothy latte, or your full-bodied Americano, your eyes are drawn to the vibrantly colored blooms. Munching on your bagel, you’ll watch in fascination as the floral artists work their magic and create a breathtaking floral display.  

I find myself drawn to these flowers every time I enter this coffee shop. While I might not buy flowers every time I am there, they contribute to the unique atmosphere that only Cultivate Coffee and Flowers has. The owner of Cultivate Coffee (Katie Boggs) and the owner of Flourish Flowers (Savannah Pannell) have done an awesome job making the combination feel like one business.

But Cultivate Coffee’s atmosphere goes beyond just the flowers. It feels like a welcoming place. Their website talks about how they are “cultivating community, creativity, and conversation.”  And when they say, “come and stay awhile”, they really seem to mean it.

And people do come and stay awhile. Whether it’s the young mother who drove twenty minutes for a few minutes of peace and coffee, the three people discussing a business proposition, or the friends enjoying their coffee and conversation, nobody was in a hurry to leave.

According to their website, the owners of Cultivate Coffee settled in Fountain City because they felt it “was an area of Knoxville lacking a local gathering place”. And I agree. For those of us on the north side of Knoxville, those words are music to our ears.

For years, we’ve had to drive Downtown or to West Knoxville for a good cup of coffee with our friends. It’s only recently that the north side of town has graduated into the coffee universe.

In keeping with their goal of making Cultivate Coffee a place where you will come and stay awhile, they have a great common area with a set of comfy chairs and a sofa surrounded by a cluster of small tables. I’ve taken advantage of this space to meet friends and business associates, and to work on my blog posts.

But here’s where Cultivate Coffee shines. On those days when you need a little more privacy, they also have two cozy rooms where you can meet with a group of friends for more private, intimate conversations. In addition, one of those smaller rooms also has counter seating, for times you need a quieter workspace.

And if you are looking for a space for a small business meeting, Cultivate has multiple rooms where you can meet. You can find more information here.

You’ll find all your favorite coffee drinks at Cultivate, in addition to pastries, bagels, and oatmeal. For those of us who want some coffee with our other toppings, they offer a variety of syrups. They’ve also got some great seasonal options. This summer my favorite has been the Triple Berry Latte. Hot, or cold, it hits the spot.

If you’re not into coffee, Cultivate offers hot chocolate, steamers, and tea. They also allow customers to substitute matcha (instead of espresso) in any of their drinks at an additional cost.

For those of you, like me who have no idea what matcha is, it’s a “high-grade green tea ground into powdered form.” Instead of steeping it, they whisk it into hot water so it’s a frothy concoction. I haven’t worked up the courage to try this yet, but it’s on my list of things to eventually try.

The coffee served at Cultivate is roasted locally in East Knoxville at their other location, Likewise Coffee.

And this brings me to my final reason you’ll fall in love with Cultivate Coffee. Both Cultivate Coffee and Likewise Coffee are owned by the non-profit, Raising a Voice. According to their website, 100% of the profits from both locations contribute to anti-trafficking efforts not only in Knoxville, but globally.

You can find more information about Raising a Voice here. I don’t know about you, but I love the concept that I can enjoy my latte with a friend while helping someone else. What a great idea!!

Cultivate Coffee and Flowers is located at 5221 North Broadway in Fountain City. Their hours are Monday through Friday from 630am-6pm, Saturday from 8am-6pm, and Sunday from 8am-3pm. If you are familiar with Fountain City, they are located in the former Fifth Third bank building.

Parking is available at the front, side and back of the building. If you do park in the back, they offer a back entrance, so you don’t have to walk around front.  While most of their parking is pull-in, they do have some spaces which are parallel parking spaces (can I just say….not happening…especially now that I’m driving a truck).

They also have a drive thru. And while I have never done it, you can order both coffee and flowers online. So, for you guys who have said something that upset your sweetheart, you can pick up a latte and a bouquet of flowers on your way home. Take my word for it…it will work wonders. To order online, click here.

Cultivate Coffee and Flowers is rapidly becoming one of my favorite coffee shops for all of the reasons I’ve mentioned above. As an amateur photographer I love the ability to meet a friend for coffee and grab a single flower to take home and practice on. I’ve done that several times. Here are just a couple of the flowers you can get at Cultivate Coffee and Flowers.

The moment I walk into Cultivate Coffee I start to relax. There aren’t a whole lot of places I can say that about, so Cultivate Coffee is definitely at the top of my list of my favorite coffee shops.

What do you think? Have you been to Cultivate Coffee? If so, put your thoughts in the comments below. Also, if you have any coffee shops that you think should be on my list, put them in the comments below.