This former Perry, Ga gas station is ready to fuel you with coffee
Wake up with a mission.
That’s the goal of Perry, Georgia’s Morning by Morning Coffee Company owner, Beth Cleveland. She opened her Main St. coffee shop in 2020 with the goal to serve delicious coffee with a purpose.
And what a journey it has been, especially since this coffee shop’s bones began as a gas station back in 1957. Even now, there still exists a Pure Gas Station pump out front.
Once Cleveland began her plans, it was out with the old and in with the new.
“We’ve changed up the fuel a bit, but we’d like to think we’re still keeping Middle Georgia moving,” the Morning by Morning website reads.
Cleveland said that the name “Morning by Morning” comes from her favorite hymn called “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” which tells of the unconditional love and goodness of God.
At her coffee shop, this idea is behind everything.
“We believe that quality coffee and food offered with kindness and concern are a mission in itself,” she said.
However, the pandemic had other plans.
“The week we were scheduled to open, COVID shut down indoor dining. We had to rethink everything,” Cleveland explained.
“Within the next few months, our outdoor spaces would become a safe space for client and personal meetings, church groups, Bible study and even rooftop yoga. While our mission has not been what we had originally envisioned, we certainly have not lost sight of it,” she said. “To me, it is a reminder that every day is a gift and every day offers a fresh start.”
And when I stepped into Morning by Morning, I immediately felt this sentiment. It was a dreary day, one that began with cold rain. But when I was greeted by the smell of freshly roasted beans and warm smiles from the staff, my mood quickly went from drab to fab.
Morning by Morning was the perfect place for me on that rainy day and the vibe of the shop was the perfect balance of modern minimalist with a retro feel. From the soft greenery to the vibrant signs, there truly was care in every corner.
Cleveland first began roasting coffee with a popcorn popper and green coffee beans on her mother’s front porch. She picked up the basics rather fast and after visiting Guatemala, she purchased her very own roaster. And well, the rest is history.
Even now and then, in her very own shop, she still likes to experiment with different flavors and roasting techniques.
“My favorite part is setting roast profiles and trying to figure out how to get the most flavor out of the coffee beans when roasting,” Cleveland said. “I love tasting the natural flavors that can be brought out of the beans with a proper roast. Altitude, processing methods, soil types, storage, fertilizer, weather — roasting techniques all affect the final product.”
So, what are some of the best coffees on the menu?
Customer favorites are the mocha latte, the brown sugar almond latte and the honey latte.
Personally, I like the mocha latte with an extra shot and extra mocha. It’s the perfect blend of sweet, bitter and “get up and go!”
The flavored syrups are all house made and trust me, they are made with tender love and care, because they are to die for, seriously.
And Cleveland’s favorite? She recommends the house blend from Huehuetenango, Guatemala because you can never go wrong with a good house blend coffee.
If you’re not much for coffee, but still want something yummy, there are hot and iced teas as well.
Oh, and did I mention the food yet?
That’s right, Morning by Morning isn’t just a roastery.
“Most people don’t realize that Morning By Morning is actually a coffee roastery and a bakery. We make all of our products from scratch,” Cleveland said. “Our bakery is most well known for Birdie’s Buns, which are our cinnamon rolls.”
She said “Birdie” is a nickname her grandchildren gave her that eventually stuck and inspired the branding for the bakery, which also sells muffins, scones, brownies, pound cake, cookies, banana breadsticks, pecan brittle and coffee toffee.
Aside from the sweets, Morning by Morning also makes biscuits, grits bowls and chorizo tacos in the morning, as well as salads, soups and sandwiches for lunch.
In addition to the tasty coffee, delicious baked goods and savory lunch options, Cleveland has even more up her sleeve for 2023.
She plans to add more seasonal items to the menu, host coffee tastings and offer educational workshops at Morning by Morning this year.
“We are always planning ways to connect our community to our food and coffee,” Cleveland said.
Morning by Morning Coffee Company is located at 1012 Main St. in Perry. For more information, find the shop on social media and visit their website.
