You Bring the Car, Greenberry’s Brings the Coffee
Barracks Road Shopping Center, a Charlottesville mainstay that has remained a key element of the city’s uniqueness, is home to a coffee shop that promises a higher quality roast than the competition. Established in 1992 by married couple Sean and Roxanne Simmons, Greenberry’s Coffee holds multiple locations across central Virginia, with the original being the one on Barracks Road. They remain one of the oldest premium coffee distributors in the area, serving the same group of customers.
The atmosphere when entering the recently refurbished coffee shop is sublime. The walls have been painted a birch white, with comfortable armchairs as well as outdoor seating available for customers to make themselves at home. The decor has a modern, but still uniquely Charlottesville vibe, with a framed art piece behind the armchairs consisting solely of a texture similar to broccoli. Plants also line the windows of the shop, contributing to the more lively update. The various coffee beans and tea leaves are neatly arranged in mason jars and labeled on the wall behind the baristas, aiding in the premium, upscale feel of the venue.
Breakfast sandwiches, burritos and coffee options are plentiful on the menu. Coffee of all blends, including frozen coffee and unique espresso drinks listed on their own special board in front of the counter, are available. They also serve breakfast burritos, sandwiches and pastries.
The German Fry breakfast burrito ($8) is a must-have on a first visit; biting into green pepper mixed with the onions and hash browns made it an immediate go-to for me. If sandwiches are more your speed, the Commuter ($8) is a simple but quality item on the menu for breakfast, with applewood smoked bacon, scrambled eggs and fresh tomatoes.
Trying new coffee items on the menu doesn’t disappoint. The maple espresso ($4.20) is very rich in flavor but also roasted smooth, as to not leave an oily or bitter aftertaste. Frozen coffees are also very special treats, with the frozen java shake ($5.10) being a far cry from the dessert coffees such as Frappuccinos you find on more mainstream coffee shop menus. The shake isn’t so sweet you forget you’re drinking coffee.
Greenberry’s Coffee’s unique standing also allows them to host well-attended events. Cars and Coffee Charlottesville, a bi-monthly car meet. It’s not the first of its kind, with other similar events happening all across the state and country, but Charlottesville’s event utilizes Barracks Road shopping center’s large parking lot to bring car culture to the area.
Car enthusiasts with a wide variety of unique automobiles from kei cars to high-end supercars assemble every second and fourth Saturday of each month from 8-10 a.m., with more information on the Cars & Coffee Charlottesville Facebook group. The people of Charlottesville provide the cars, and Greenberry’s brings the coffee and breakfast, as well as the event space.
