What is the history behind Lorraine’s Coffee House & Music, and what made you want to open up shop outside of Raleigh?
It has always been a lifelong dream of mine to have an establishment where the community could come together and mingle in a family atmosphere. I am hoping this can be everyone’s home away from home and become a place to relax and meet-and-greet while enjoying the artistry of locally and nationally known musicians. I have played music on the road all over the country for twenty-three years. Now, I want to come home and play in my backyard.
How and when did you get your start in coffee?
I don’t have a background in coffee, but I just knew that coffee brings great people together and that’s what I wanted to do in my town.
What about your start in music?
I started playing music at a young age. I have always had a love for Blue Grass music. I started on bass in my high school bass band and was able to advance on the instrument. I played all types of music on the bass, but listened to true Grass music. After playing the bass in some local Blue Grass bands I fell in love with the mandolin and moved to that instrument.
If you were a customer in your own cafe, what would you order from the menu?
I would order the frozen mocha.
What’s your most popular drink?
It’s Lorraine’s Mocha. When I went to my training for the coffee house, we had to each develop our own drink. I came up with a frozen drink with chocolate, caramel, and cream. It surprised me that it became our favorite drink!
What advice would you give to someone who is dreaming of opening their own small business?
Be ready to work hard to get the business off the ground. Customer service is most important, and the customers want to see the owner and be able to relate to them.
You are a busy lady! Aside from running your business, you just dropped a new single,”True Grass,” featuring Junior Sisk and Danny Paisley. How does your music career and the coffee shop work together?
The main reason I opened a coffee house was so I could have a gathering place for music. It’s worked out really well. I’m able to book many bands I play alongside out on the road. Because of my ties to the Blue Grass community, and being well-known with the fans, many people come to the coffee house to see me. They know I love the music and will keep great shows going.
What kind of music do you like to listen to yourself in the store and what type of artists do you book?
We have a Blue Grass night on Fridays, Thursday is for local talent and karaoke, while Saturday is classic acoustic Country and light Jazz. We listen to music that goes along with our shows during the day of the show. We also have a bingo family night and a church service.
Finally, tell people how to find Lorraine’s Coffee House & Music, what your hours are, and how to find more information.
We are open at 6:00am each morning. We are located about seven miles south of Raleigh, NC. We send out a newsletter, plus have a great website and facebook page where people can learn more.
