Age: One month
Location: 901 E. 4th St. (Across from the new courthouse)
Hours: Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Although engulfed by tall, concrete buildings, KoKoMo’s Coffeehouse is the perfect place for people who are looking for “that eclectic, non-commercialized environment,” says owner Tiwanna “Koko” Hagans, whose first location near Huntersville opened two years ago. Her target market of people are non-Charlotteans — those who are used to living in an “accessible environment” and “having a variety of things to do” — and those who don’t do coffee. In fact, aside from specialty coffee drinks, she offers a breakfast menu, desserts, Blue Bell ice cream and wine.
When comparing KoKoMo’s to Starbucks, Hagans says that the experience is more than just coffee; it’s about relaxing and meeting new people. “The atmosphere is about creating relationships,” she says. As the only black-owned coffeehouse in Charlotte, KoKoMo’s offers jazz and poetry on Friday night and promises a diverse crowd. Hagans emphasizes that KoKoMo’s is for “anyone who’s looking for a place to call home.”
This article appears in Jul 11-17, 2007.
