Southport’s Bald Head Coffee is on a mission to take its coffee to the people.

When owner and CEO Steve Lewis started the business over a year ago – in the heat of the pandemic – Bald Head Coffee's drink products were only sold online. But as a taste grew for its line of small-batch, roasted-in-the-Carolinas coffees, Lewis expanded sales to a mix of small retail outlets in the area.

Now coffee lovers can drop by the company’s headquarters, 1433 N. Howe St. in Southport, to pick up online orders and sample the brews, which Lewis said are intended to “create a memorable coffee experience for our guests.” For now, the “coffee showroom” will be open to the public each fourth Friday and Saturday of the month (excluding holidays). Customers can also make an appointment to shop for Bald Head Coffee's private-label coffees and teas.

“I've been in the industry for over 30 years, but wanted to get a foothold in this area,” Lewis said. “We started just online and began growing, so now we do the Sunset Beach, Southport and Oak Island farmers markets during the season and we also sell to several stores and businesses that actually retail our product, all the way from here to Raleigh.”

Among the retail outlets carrying Bald Head Coffee's products are the Mermaid Cove on Oak Island, Coastal Cottage, the Pearl, Southport Market and the N.C. Maritime Museum in Southport, the Maritime Market on Bald Head Island and Blue Moon Gift Shops in Wilmington. Bald Head Coffee also is rolling out mobile service.

“We actually have an espresso cart being built right now,” Lewis said. “That will be available starting in May or June. We're already booking for, you know, wedding receptions, corporate events or maybe real estate agents who are holding the grand opening of a community. We would bring it to the customer, even if it's a block party.”

Lewis also is focusing on community engagement and giving back to the area, donating to groups such as The Old Baldy Foundation, the Sea Turtle Conservancy, efforts to keep local waterways clean, hospitals and public safety agencies.