Cat Nap Coffee Roasting has taken a significant leap forward, transforming its online presence into a vibrant physical space with the grand opening of its first cafe. This new establishment not only marks a crucial milestone for the company but also enhances the local coffee scene in Staunton, Virginia. The founder, Ryan Brosmer, a visionary artist and entrepreneur, has meticulously designed the cafe to offer a unique and inviting experience, blending innovative brewing techniques with a cozy, community-focused atmosphere.
\nOn a bright day in August 2025, Cat Nap Coffee Roasting, a relatively young but ambitious coffee enterprise, inaugurated its very first brick-and-mortar cafe in the charming town of Staunton, nestled within the serene embrace of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. This auspicious event also happily coincided with the company's first anniversary in business.
\nThe new cafe occupies a shared space with the popular local brewery, Queen City Brewing Co., ensuring a lively atmosphere throughout the week. Inside, the cafe boasts extensive seating options, including comfortable spots at the bar, complemented by a generously sized outdoor patio furnished with tables, chairs, and benches. The interior design is a thoughtful blend of vibrant pastel signage and packaging that pops against a soothing, neutral backdrop, while a radiant, custom-made glass neon sign crafted by a local artisan bathes the front window in a warm glow.
\nRyan Brosmer, the inventive founder of Cat Nap Coffee, shared insights into the thoughtful arrangement, noting that Cat Nap enjoys full access to the expansive building's seating and facilities. He emphasized the collaborative effort to vitalize the space, especially crediting Becca, the cafe's lead, for her exceptional green thumb. Becca has brought in a lush array of plants from her home greenhouse, infusing the cafe with a fresh, natural ambiance.
\nFor its exquisite espresso offerings, the cafe employs a versatile cart featuring a Eureka grinder paired with a single-group Lucca espresso machine, allowing for effortless mobility for events. For those who prefer a single-cup pour-over, Cat Nap utilizes an xBloom Studio machine. Brosmer highlighted that this advanced equipment enables precise recipe dialing for individual coffees, ensuring consistent brewing and significantly reducing variables often associated with pour-over coffee, thereby enhancing the customer's experience. This also alleviates operational stress on the staff while allowing them to offer a diverse selection of specialty coffees.
\nThe cafe prepares batch brews in 60-ounce quantities using a Technivorm Moccamaster CDT Grand, and proudly offers its signature cold brew in convenient bottles. Brosmer expressed particular pride in their cold brew, describing it as exceptionally fruit-forward, juicy, and refreshingly distinct from other offerings. He, being a devoted cold coffee enthusiast himself, believes their cold brew truly stands out.
\nBrosmer, who honed his skills as a writer and illustrator, personally oversees much of Cat Nap's distinctive design work, which is prominently featured in the brand's packaging and overall aesthetic. The coffee beans are roasted across the street at Art Hive, a creative reuse art supply store that was once a bustling restaurant, utilizing a Coffee Crafters Valenta 12 fluid-bed roaster.
\nHaving initially launched Cat Nap as a solo venture with invaluable support from friends and family, Brosmer has now expanded his team to four dedicated employees. Looking ahead, he is filled with anticipation for continued growth, new partnerships, expanding wholesale accounts, nurturing the cafe as a community hub, and forging meaningful, enduring personal connections through the universal language of coffee.
\nThe opening of Cat Nap Coffee Roasting's first cafe is more than just a business expansion; it symbolizes a growing movement towards artisanal craft and community building. In an era dominated by rapid consumption, Cat Nap's meticulous approach to coffee making, combined with its commitment to creating a welcoming space, offers a refreshing pause. It reminds us that behind every cup of coffee lies a story of passion, precision, and human connection, fostering a sense of belonging in our increasingly fragmented world.