Photo Courtesy of Why Coffee Bar & Kitchen
Coffee and More at Why Coffee Bar & Kitchen
By: Jessica Maurer
A new restaurant and coffee bar concept is getting ready to open its doors on Eastwood Road, promising more than just a caffeine fix. Why Coffee Bar & Kitchen is the passion project of five partners united by the goal of delivering an exceptional experience from morning coffee to evening cocktails.
Maricela Garcia spoke on behalf of the group, emphasizing the partners’ extensive experience in the hospitality industry and a desire to bring an elevated cafe experience to the Wilmington market. Garcia, who lives in Raleigh, said that means not only providing great food and drink, but true hospitality.
“I always think, ‘How would I like to feel at a place when I go out to eat?’ And I think about that first,” she said. “I would love everyone who comes into my place to have the experience that I’m expecting to have.”
Why Coffee will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, offering a full menu alongside a robust coffee program and a full bar with everything from mimosas to margaritas and martinis.
“Our chef has created a small but eclectic menu,” Garcia said. “We have chicken dishes, steak dishes, burgers, salads. For breakfast, we’ll have some create-your-own options, benedicts, French toast. It’s not a big menu, but it’s designed so that every item is something people will love.”
Why Coffee plans to eventually have its own roastery and import coffee from Guatemala and Argentina, but for now, they will be sourcing organic beans from Larry’s Coffee in Raleigh.
The restaurant space, formerly home to Mama Lucia’s and more recently Mi Amici, has undergone an extensive renovation, including new floors, paint and furniture, for a clean, modern aesthetic. An L-shaped bar now flanks one side of the 80-seat restaurant, while a large, colorful mural frames the opposite side of the dining space.
“We have worked really hard,” Garcia said of the renovation. “It’s nothing compared to what it used to look like. We really put our heart into creating an inviting atmosphere.”
The team expects to open within the next two weeks, pending final inspections.
“We want it to be a whole experience, not just a place where you go and have a coffee and that’s it,” Garcia said.
Why Coffee Bar & Kitchen is located at 431 Eastwood Road and will announce its official opening date soon via social media.
