Crema Coffee Roasters has been a Nashville institution for 15 years now. In that time, Crema has expanded their Music City footprint to include three cafes, including their original downtown location that is a must-visit for any Nashville-based coffee crawls. But now, Crema is leaving the confines of the city limits and heading 10 miles south to Brentwood.
Even though they are leaving home, Crema is maintaining the same standards and values that earned them their place in the Nashville coffee pantheon. This includes meticulous sourcing, quality drink creation, and a thoughtful food menu, all served within the comforting wooded warmth akin to the downtown cafe. It just goes to show, when it comes to coffee and top-notch cafes, you can never have too much of a good thing.
The 2023 Build-Outs of Coffee is presented by DONA. The 2023 Build-Outs of Coffee is sponsored by La Marzocco, Pacific Barista Series, Acaia, and Marco Beverage Systems.
As told to Sprudge by Diana Barton.
For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?
In 2007, founders Rachel and Ben Lehman set out to create a unique coffee experience in Music City. Now with three locations, an e-commerce market, and the forthcoming Williamson County expansion, Crema Coffee Roasters prides itself on creating welcoming cafe spaces and roasting exceptional coffee. Named one of the 100 Best Coffee Shops in America and Best Coffee Roaster in Tennessee by Food & Wine, the brand is known for its single-origin and blended coffees, espresso drinks, coffee classes, and bites from local purveyors.
Can you tell us a bit about the new space?
Crema Coffee Roasters, the beloved Nashville coffee brand founded in 2007, will open its first location outside of Metro Nashville on Wednesday, August 30th. Located in the ever-popular Brentwood Place Shopping Center, the new shop will serve its classic coffee drinks alongside an expanded food menu. Rooted in transparency and ethically-sourced products, the team behind the Nashville staple looks forward to serving and sharing knowledge with their new community.
What’s your approach to coffee?
Since opening the first location of Crema, the team has been committed to transparently sourcing coffee and teaching guests about the nuances within their different offerings. Favorite drinks from the menu include the Cuban (a latte made with sweetened condensed milk) and the Coffee Soda (carbonated iced coffee, demerara sugar syrup, orange peel garnish). Classics include coffee by the cup, espresso, filter coffee, iced coffee, and a selection of teas by Rishi. Guests can also purchase bags of coffee beans that are roasted at Crema’s East Nashville roastery. Crema also offers a selection of rotating specialty drinks that change seasonally.
To compliment the larger space, the new location will offer an expanded breakfast and lunch menu created by Courtney Whitsett of Pour La Mere (a locally based Certified Natural Chef), that will include nourishing and delicious food for Brentwood locals to enjoy on the go or while dining in. Standout items include Crema’s Breakfast Sandwich (sourdough toast, egg bake, sharp white cheddar, arugula, homemade tomato-bourbon jam), fan-favorite Avocado Toast (sourdough toast spread with Noble Springs goat cheese, smashed avocado, red pepper flake, microgreens and a squeeze of lemon) and Housemade Granola. Crema has partnered with the organization Nashville Grown, to help get access to local farmers and makers such as Noble Springs Dairy, Stooksbury Creamery, Dozen Bakery, and more to craft their menu items with locally sourced goods.
How is your project considering sustainability?
Every aspect of Crema’s business is approached with care—from serving guests to fostering relationships with coffee producers and taking care of employees. The team’s mission is to serve exceptional coffee, inspire learning, and provide an approachable and welcoming space for their guests—to both new guests and regulars alike. In addition to warm and expert service, Crema takes pride in being a good steward of the planet by creating a zero-waste footprint and sharing knowledge of roasting techniques, preparation, and origin of products.
Coffee devotees across the country can experience Crema at home by shopping online for transparently-sourced and expertly-roasted coffee, instant coffee, home brewing equipment, coffee subscriptions, and more. Passionate about quality of goods and leaving a zero-waste footprint, the team strives to provide a look into the unparalleled adventure of the coffee experience—from seed to cup—while also working to enhance the communities they call home.
What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?
August 30, 2023
Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?
Crema is working with Powell to bring a unique and curated experience to its newest location. The inspiration for the space embodies the evolution of a coffee bean throughout the roasting process—starting with the coffee bean’s initial pale green flush, moving to the profound allure of a caramelized brown reflected in the interior palette and woven into the fabric of the design. A mix of organic materials, rich woods, and foliage will be present throughout the space, tying the design back to nature and serving as a reminder of Crema’s steadfast commitment to sustainable practices.
Thank you!
The 2023 Build-Outs of Coffee is presented by DONA. The 2023 Build-Outs of Coffee is sponsored by La Marzocco, Pacific Barista Series, Acaia, and Marco Beverage Systems.
