Gray Squirrel Coffee Branches Out in Carrboro, North Carolina

Howard Bryman | October 8, 2026

The Gray Squirrel Coffee Company expansion in Carrboro, North Carolina. All images courtesy of Gray Squirrel Coffee Company.

Skittering with excitement in Carrboro, North Carolina, Gray Squirrel Coffee Company last week opened its expanded roastery cafe after remodeling an adjoining retail space.

Gray Squirrel launched in 2015 in a 250-square-foot roastery cafe inside YesterYears Brewery before moving in 2017 to a 2,400-square-foot space at its current home on East Main Street. That space now connects through glass doors to the adjoining 1,600-square-foot expansion, adding approximately 30 seats and a clear view into a larger, higher-capacity roasting area.

A new slow bar showcases manual brewing methods and will host cuppings and conversations in a more intimate setting.

From the original space’s gray-washed brick walls, customers pass through the interior portal into a warmer palette of red brick and dark-stained walnut tables and counters. Upholstered seating and rounded-edge coffee tables add softness, while Googie-inspired decor and signage lend a retro-futuristic touch.

Industrial black and gray accents appear throughout the space, while the brand’s bright green carries through new tiered pendant lighting.

“Where the original cafe is industrial and minimalist, the new space, which we’re casually calling the Acorn Room, brings in warmth and midcentury modern touches,” Gray Squirrel Coffee Director of Marketing Sarah Persing told Daily Coffee News. “We’ve also extended our hours in the hopes of becoming a go-to lounge for folks to enjoy before dinner or a show at other local spots.”

The expansion proceeded without interrupting service at the original bar, where a Victoria Arduino Black Eagle espresso machine pairs with two Mahlkönig grind-by-weight grinders. This month, the new slow bar also began highlighting Gray Squirrel’s “Reserve” coffees through Chemex, Hario Switch, Etkin and AeroPress brewers.

All of those brewers are also available for sale, while a single-origin espresso program centers on a single-group La Marzocco Linea.

The original main bar and cafe.

In the expanded roastery, Gray Squirrel Coffee Co-Owner and Head Roaster Shaw Sturton will transition from an early-1990s Probat L12 to three refurbished Probat machines: an L12, an L5 and a Probatino.

The expanded production setup also includes a destoner and new packaging equipment. The roastery will supply the cafe and wholesale customers while filling redesigned bags for retail and online sales.

“A key reason for the expansion is to enhance our wholesale business and improve training and education for both our staff and customers, so we are looking forward to putting our energy into those avenues,” Persing said.

The company added an onsite kitchen to the current cafe in 2018, allowing it to bring production of baked goods and flavored syrups in-house.

“The bakery is quickly outgrowing its current spot, so we are planning a kitchen expansion down the line, which will also allow us to add more substantial lunch options and artisan breads to the menu,” Persing said. “We are unique as a cafe-bakery-roastery in this area, and we want to make sure that our customers are aware of the full range of delicious things that we craft here.”

Gray Squirrel also maintains a no-tipping policy, with employee benefits and annual cost-of-living increases built into its compensation approach, according to the company.

Following an initial opening period for the expanded space, the company plans a grand opening celebration later this year while considering renovations to the original bar and outdoor seating areas.

“We would love to be able to host live acts out front during the Carrboro Music Festival and other events,” said Persing. “We are excited to be able to offer more space for our awesome community to gather.”