Dutch Bros Coffee in Hixson
photo by John Shearer
Motorists for weeks wondered what the small building being constructed at 5102 Hixson Pike next to Captain D’s and near Northpoint Boulevard was.
In recent days the Dutch Bros name went up, and now the facility that will serve coffee, other refreshment drinks, and ready-to-go breakfast items will soon open, based on a sign by the door.
Although dozens of stores are found throughout the country, this is apparently the first Dutch Bros to open in Chattanooga, based on the company’s website. Chattanooga has seen a big influx of local and chain quick-service coffee stores in recent years to compete with Starbuck’s and such other locally popular coffee pickup places as Dunkin, Hardee’s, and Panera, among others.
The store, located on what was part of the front parking lot of the former Ryan’s eatery, will offer drive-through and walk-up service.
The menu says the Dutch Bros store serves such drinks as Dutch Classics coffee, Cold Brew, Dutch Freeze, Americano, special energy drinks, Dutch Frost, tea, kids drinks, Smoothies, lemonade, Dutch Soda, chai, and Dutch Cocoa.
Food items include a chocolate chip muffin top, granola bar, lemon poppyseed muffin top, and orange cranberry muffin top.
Dutch Bros was started in 1992 by brothers Dane and Travis Boersma in Oregon as a pushcart business by a railway station.
The business features a coffee cup-like sign more typical of the catchy restaurant or motel signs found around the country in the 1960s and 70s. The sign also has a Dutch windmill on it.
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Jcshearer2@comcast.net
Dutch Bros Coffee in Hixson
photo by John Shearer