Three students at the University of North Carolina—Rebecca Felicelli, Alex Christian and Gabriella Silva—wanted to combine their education in business with their love for coffee into something concrete and impactful.
They landed on the Blue House Cafe, a coffee shop that they hope will be a central gathering place for both the UNC and Chapel Hill community at 462 W. Franklin St.
Felliceli, Christian and Silva hope to do this by displaying local art in the shop, promoting opportunities to become involved in the community and inviting musicians to perform live in the cafe.
As of January 31, the business is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The cafe offers iced and hot espresso drinks like cappuccinos and lattes, as well as drip coffee, hot chocolate and tea.
The property, owned by UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School graduate Mike Griffin, is called the PITCH and was bought to help out UNC students with their entrepreneurial pursuits. Felicelli called the space a “business incubator for UNC students.”
“We’re lucky enough to have someone who’s putting a lot of risk in us,” Felicelli said.
In order to balance their responsibilities as business owners and as full-time students, each of the three founders has a role that helps run the shop and engage the community.
“I mean, luckily for me, I do have Gabi and Alex, so we kind of balance our time in that way,” Felicelli said. “We all have a specific role that we’re assigned.”
Blue House recently went through the process of hiring full- and part-time baristas, which Felicelli says will take some of the pressure off her and her business partners.
“We are in the process of hiring more students to get involved, so once that happens, the less pressure there will be on us,” Felicelli said.
Nicolas Gomez is a business partner with Griffin and has helped to coach and advise Felliceli, Silva and Christian with the administration of running the cafe.
Gomez describes the PITCH as a way of giving back to the community.
“We see it as a launch pad to give young entrepreneurs a chance to test the waters of running and managing an enterprise without [taking too much risk],” Gomez said.
Gomez also emphasized that the PITCH is anchored by a commitment to diversity.
“It’s truly a blessing that Rebecca and her team started this business because we really need more women in business,” Gomez said.
Carrboro Coffee, a premium artisan roaster company, has partnered with the Blue House Cafe to provide wholesale coffee at the location.
Scott Conary, president of Carrboro Coffee Roasters, said that the company looks to partner with people who are passionate about their work and eager to endorse inclusiveness, sustainability and the high-quality products provided by the company.
Conary said Blue House Cafe seeks to promote such qualities in their shop.
“[Blue House Cafe’s] dedication to creating quality in product and atmosphere, as well as service, means that more farmers are supported and more customers are able to have an amazing coffee experience,” Conary said.
Felicelli’s advice to young entrepreneurs, business owners and students in general is to take the process one step at a time.
“I think the biggest thing I’ve learned with the cafe, with my nonprofits and even with just school in general is that you need to take everything step by step, and it doesn’t matter if you’re open one day a week selling only 20 cups of coffee,” Felicelli said. “It’s about taking little steps and building up each time.”
