News

Drive-thru coffee shop
 adds bagels, smoothies

Barista Lauren Rowe, with Expresso Yourself owner David Hamilton, shows off a spinach and cheese croissant.

By Bill Moss, Published: April 28, 2019

If it weren’t for arthritis in his hand and the onset of boredom, David Hamilton might still be spending his days on the golf course.

Instead, he’s the new owner of a drive-through coffee stand on Asheville Highway that’s open 81 hours a week.

First used for drive-up coffee by Appalachian Coffee Co., the little shop is now open as Expresso Yourself, where baristas serve coffee, espresso, lattes and smoothies, plus bagels and other baked goods, from drive-through and walk-up windows.
Hamilton retired to a home on Jeter Mountain, figuring he’d relax and golf. He soon found a way to restart his past interest in the food business.
Starting in 1996 he owned and operated a small Whole Foods kind of market in the oldest grocery store in Washington state. The building in Seattle dated to 1889. He also enjoyed an adventurous stint as capital projects manager for a chain of supermarkets in Alaska, hopping from job to job in small airplanes. “Actually one time I had to hitchhike” an airplane ride, he said.
He’s expanded the tiny shop at 1314 Asheville Highway, adding a deck and outdoor seating, Wi-Fi and new menu items, plus an electronic sign. Weekday specials include mocha Monday, Tuesday trivia (What’s the only Disney character on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?) and Thirsty Thursday (3 punches on a buy-10-get-one-free card) and Hamilton is trying to think up more.
Labor could be one of the challenges. Expresso Yourself is open seven days a week — 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.
The shop has just added Joey’s bagels and wraps and also serves smoothies, yogurt parfaits, stuffed muffins and croissants. And of course the namesake hot and cold beverages, including espresso, cappuccino, chai and mocha lattes, breve, drip coffee, Americano, hot chocolate, iced tea and Frappuccinos.

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Trivia answer: Mickey Mouse.