Kaldi's Coffeehouse & Roastery
Vendor
About
Kaldi’s Coffeehouse & Roastery is a proud Black woman-owned business based in Charlotte, NC, bringing you premium Arabica beans sourced from the finest coffee-growing regions of Africa. We’re all about bold flavors and unforgettable experiences—whether it’s our fresh-roasted coffee, specialty teas, refreshing lemonades, or irresistible sweet treats. Don’t miss our signature Whiskey Barrel-Aged coffee, perfect hot or cold!
Kaldi’s is the heart and soul of Marcia Cox, who dreamed up the idea during her senior year at North Carolina A&T State University. Inspired by her barista days and her father’s journey in the coffee industry, Marcia saw the need for greater representation in the coffee world. She set out to craft a space where community, culture, and coffee collide. Come taste the passion and be a part of our story!
Location
Charlotte, NC
Manager
Marcia Cox
Hey there! I’m Marcia Cox, the heart and hands behind Kaldi's Coffeehouse & Roastery, right here in Charlotte, North Carolina. As the owner, creator, and head roaster, I take pride in lovingly hand-roasting small batches of coffee just for you—our wonderful Kaldi's Community!
Kaldi's was born in my dorm room during my senior year at North Carolina A&T State University. When I first stepped onto A&T's campus, I had dreams of becoming a lawyer. But as I immersed myself in the vibrant entrepreneurial culture around me—where friends were launching businesses from hair salons to cupcake shops—I began to wonder, "What if I created something of my own?"
That spark led me to combine my passions for history, community, and creativity into Kaldi's. As a history major, I was fascinated by the story of coffee, especially its African roots in Ethiopia. Yet, I noticed that Black people, and particularly Black women, were often missing from the coffee industry narrative. With less than 20% of coffee roasters being women, and even fewer being Black women, I felt a calling to change that.
Growing up in a family of proud HBCU graduates, I’ve spent countless hours sharing coffee, tea, and conversation around the kitchen table. It was in those moments, and during my time as a barista, that I honed my craft—experimenting with flavors and brewing up new ideas for my family to taste.
Fast forward to my senior year: with law school no longer in my plans, I drafted a business proposal and presented it to my dad, a former bank and Starbucks executive. He saw the potential in my vision and joined me on this journey. And the rest, as they say, is history!
In the next two years, I’m excited to open a storefront where Kaldi's Coffeehouse will be a welcoming space for everyone to gather, connect, and share in the community that I’ve always cherished.
Around the web