New Community Focused Coffee Shop Coming To Zebulon
Branches Coffee Co. is planning a Zebulon coffee shop centered on inclusion, community, and meaningful employment opportunities.
ZEBULON, NC — Branches Coffee Co. is planning to open in the former Zem’s location at 130 N. Arendell Ave, Zebulon, NC 27597. Owner Nicole Shifflett, who is opening the business with partner Kevin Murphy, told Business Debut the team is targeting the first quarter of 2026 as permitting moves forward.
What to Expect
Branches Coffee Co. is designed as a place customers can stay awhile, with a mix of couches, tables, and barstool seating. Shifflett said the shop’s mission is to be an inclusive workplace for people with disabilities, paired with community engagement.
She told Business Debut she also wants the space to host meetups for families with loved ones who have disabilities.
Menu and Vision
Shifflett said the menu is expected to include coffee, deli sandwiches, and a few pastries. “Our whole plan is to make a really inclusive environment and just have a comfortable space for people to come hang out,” she told Business Debut.
Shifflett told Business Debut she has a background in ABA therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis), which helped shape the concept. She said the team is also planning a nonprofit tied to their early-intervention-focused ABA therapy company, aimed at building job skills that can translate to other workplaces.
“I feel like there’s always been a disconnect between early intervention services and then actually being able to translate that into living individually,” she told Business Debut.
Shifflett told Business Debut the program is intended to be inclusive in who it supports, and the team expects it could reach about 15 staff members at its peak.
Opening Timeline
Branches Coffee Co. is targeting a first-quarter 2026 opening, though Shifflett said timing is not final while permitting work continues.
Hours
Shifflett said the shop is planning to be open every day except Monday. Hours are currently targeting 7 a.m. — 7 p.m Tuesday through Saturday, with shorter hours on Sunday (to be announced).
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