AIKEN — Ambiance is an important part of the business plan at The Parlour Coffee & Company, which began welcoming customers late last year at 703 Richland Ave. East.
From the outset, the goal was to establish “a nice, relaxed, decompressed atmosphere where you can sit back and drink a good cup of coffee and enjoy great company,” said Brad Gutierrez, who is The Parlour’s chief operations manager.
Mellow music was playing when Gutierrez took a break from behind the counter for an interview recently. Two women, meanwhile, were chatting nearby while sitting at a table in the main room.
The Parlour also has a lounge area with lamps, a comfortable-looking sofa and pillows.
“Heather Willaby is our chief executive officer,” said Gutierrez, who is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. “She is the more experienced one because she and her family open franchises, but she has never had something to call her own. I’m just breaking into the [hospitality] industry myself with her because this is something she wanted to do. I’m helping her achieve her dream.”
The Parlour is open from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday, but that schedule is likely to change in the future based on customer demands as the business evolves, according to Gutierrez.
“Our coffee beans are roasted in North Carolina,” he said. “Heather is the one who actually goes up there and gets them and brings them back here, so we can grind them fresh.”
The Parlour’s coffee drink options include espresso shots, flat whites, lattes and mochas. Smoothies, iced tea and hot chocolate also are available along with Danishes, croissants and gluten-free scones.
Gutierrez is working toward adding more breakfast choices such as waffles, pancakes, sausage, bacon and hash browns.
Among the sandwiches on the lunch menu are smoked salmon, caprese salad, turkey-apple-brie and bacon, lettuce and tomato.
Examples of the salads offered at The Parlour are carrot ribbon, burrata cheese, strawberry spinach and pineapple.