Good Things Happen Over Coffee

When Concord first opened in 2015, the owners had little knowledge about running a coffee shop. However, after a decade of maturing in their craft, Concord embodies their vision. A place where you’re greeted with friendly smiles and conversations that go beyond your order. “It’s not just about selling them coffee,” said the owners, “but, it’s about seeing how they’re doing even when it’s busy.” Whether you’re enjoying delicious, house-roasted coffee made just the way you like it or finding comfort in soulhealing teas sourced from TeaBella, Concord goes the extra mile to create a meaningful experience.

The name Concord, meaning harmony and unity, reflects the shop’s mission. Their logo, inspired by the Enneagram, symbolizes a space where all people are welcomed. “That’s why Concord exists,” Andy shared. “It’s a place where people can be vulnerable and be accepted for who they are.”

Before opening in 2015, Andy and TJ were working full-time jobs. Andy was running his film company, Indie Atlantic Films, and TJ was serving in ministry. During this season of dreaming, they were inspired by coffee everywhere they went. Especially from unique coffee shops Andy discovered with Ashley while visiting Nashville, TN. The owners were also deeply influenced by the Cuban coffee culture from their time living in West Palm. Growing up there, Andy recalls stopping at a Publix counter after school and putting down a quarter for a quick cafecito.

When Concord finally opened, they brought that sense of home to Lakeland’s Dixieland area by offering cafecitos, also known as espresso shots. Though some doubted the location, the owners trusted that a mission centered on serving people and offering quality craft coffee would resonate— and the community proved them right.

Prior to roasting their own beans in 2017, Concord was known as a multi-roaster coffee shop, featuring award-winning coffees from across the country. When TJ joined as a full-time managing partner, he wanted that to change. With the guidance of close family friends Bryan and Emily Ley, TJ learned the craft of coffee roasting. “They approached us and said, ‘We love Concord and what you’re doing—if there’s ever anything we can do to help, we’d love to be part of that,’” TJ shared. Holding themselves to the same high standard as the coffees they featured, the team spent months perfecting their roasts. “We didn’t want to say, ‘Okay, well here’s ours,’ and not be anywhere up to par,” TJ said. After a season of trial and error, Concord launched their own roasts towards the end of that year.

Today, TJ has grown Concord’s coffee inventory through relationships with family-owned farms in Kenya, Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Ethiopia. “All of our coffee is single origin, handpicked, so it’s not stripped, and it’s all picked at the right time,” he shared. By working year-round with just a few trusted partners, Concord can consistently support the same farms and families. “It helps them more than people know,” TJ said. Rather than purchasing mass-produced beans, Concord invests in quality coffee while giving back to the people who grow it. Their roasted beans are sold in-store, with coffee bags displaying their mottos, “Good things happen over coffee” and “together in harmony with all people.”

Well-known for their quality ingredients and taste, Concord offers a variety of house-made syrups that pair perfectly with any order. A local favorite is their vanilla iced latte with honey cinnamon syrup. They also supply guava, coconut, pistachio, rosewater, and seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice, made from real pumpkins, and coquito, a nod to Puerto Rican tradition. Other standouts include the smooth matcha and the beloved “Pat Tea,” named after a loyal customer who orders a blend of their orange blossom and mint tea, with a dash of honey. “If we were a giant conglomerate coffee shop, you couldn’t just have fun with that,” shared Andy. Complementing the drinks are a range of artisan baked goods, supplied by local trusted partners. From their jalapeño cheddar bagels to the berry infused pop-tarts everyone adores, people know they can count on Concord to brighten their day.

When opening their Gainesville location in 2019, the opportunity came through close friends of TJ and Andy who had a space they wanted to fill with purpose. Located across from the University of Florida in the Gator Wesley Foundation building, they recognized the value the spot could hold for college students. “It was a challenge for us to open something two and a half hours away, but what’s really cool is seeing students really step up and lead,” said Andy.

Opening in Winter Haven was a “natural” next step for them. With TJ’s family ties to the area and a growing arts and culture scene, the team saw an opportunity to serve a new community. Conveniently located Downtown, the spot has become a destination for commuters and locals alike. While balancing work between the new location and their headquarters in Lakeland, the team has created a space that feels both familiar and thoughtfully evolved. “We’ve matured as a coffee shop in the best way possible, but we’re still the same Concord.”

A common feature across all Concord locations is the natural light streaming through enormous windows. “When you walk in, you feel like you’re still a part of the city, you’re not isolated,” Andy said. With outlets throughout, fast Wi-Fi, accessible seating, and layouts designed for walkability and bikeability, each location was intentionally designed by Ashley to feel elevated and welcoming. “She definitely enjoys doing it and has a gift for it,” Andy shared. “It’s really about the textures and the colors of the place.” From wood and steel beams to cement floors and neutral tones accented with greenery, every Concord feels warm, inclusive, and consistent across locations. As a small thank-you to the community, Concord also offers 10% off to cyclists and students.

Behind the scenes, Concord runs smoothly thanks to the dedication of its team. Andy leads data and marketing, TJ oversees daily operations, and Lindsay manages accounts and staff paperwork with a sharp eye for detail. Still, the owners emphasize, “The staff is what makes this place.” Across Gainesville, Lakeland, and Winter Haven, they’ve watched employees grow, graduate, and even get married. “It’s been a really neat dynamic to be a part of,” the owners shared. “Because these relationships will still last beyond the cup of coffee.”

Looking ahead, the Concord team remains focused on making their current locations the very best they can be. “We love Lakeland, we love Winter Haven, we love Polk County,” they said. For TJ, Andy, Ashley, Lindsay, and the community that surrounds Concord, each location is a thoughtfully curated space where relationships flourish, milestones are celebrated, and memories are made. As TJ puts it, “Coffee is the vessel for those relationships to begin.”

CONCORD COFFEE

1037 Florida Ave S

Lakeland

249 3rd St SW

Winter Haven

1380 W University Ave

Gainesville (closed during college breaks)

concordcoffee.com

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IG @concordcoffee

Photos by Kamryn Potteiger