From INSIDE BUSINESS By

Matt Rose and Jason Walker, co-founders of Neptune’s Fury Coffee Co., started selling their products at local farmers’ markets in 2020. Their business has grown and they are opening their first brick-and-mortar shop in Norfolk this spring. (Courtesy / HANDOUT)

NORFOLK — Like many fledgling businesses, Neptune’s Fury Coffee Co. started out in a garage.

What began as a hobby in 2018 for Matt Rose and Jason Walker in Virginia Beach grew into a business venture in August 2020.

The partners, friends since their days at Cox High School, have been leasing a commercial space in Chesapeake for their roastery.

This spring, Neptune’s Fury Coffee will have its first brick-and-mortar location featuring a roastery and cafe. The company’s co-owners leased a 3,853-square-foot space on the first floor of Norfolk’s Dominion Tower at 999 Waterside Drive.

“Extending our brand and production in the growing community of downtown Norfolk feels like a natural next step,” Rose said.

Neptune’s Fury Coffee was previously only sold at local farmers’ markets in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, six Cinema Cafe theaters from Hampton Roads to Richmond, and in a few retail stores.

“Getting involved with the farmers’ markets really opened my eyes to how important of a step that is for a micro small business,” Rose said.

That step, he said, was crucial for the duo to bridge the gap from a hobby to make the investment in equipment and space.

And they expect demand for their brewed coffee to increase as more workers transition from working at home back to commercial spaces, Rose said.

“I think a lot of people have kind of gotten spoiled by making the coffee they enjoy at home, and they don’t necessarily want to go back to Folgers,” Rose said. “We’re seeing this as a perk and an area where we’re expanding our business.”

At the new shop, customers will find light to medium roasted coffee, espresso-based drinks, and light food items along with a grab-and-go section with a self-checkout kiosk. It will be open 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“Our goal is to make specialty coffee more accessible and share our creation across Coastal Virginia and beyond,” Walker said.

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@insidebiz.com