There’s no shortage of places to go in the Wilmington area for a cup of coffee, including dozens of locally owned shops.

“More people caring about quality coffee is ultimately a good thing for all of us,” said Kevin Welch, vice president of operations and marketing at Port City Java. “We’re super excited about what’s happening in our industry right now. The demand for premium fresh product served in community-focused locations continues to grow.”

Port City Java, or PCJ, has come a long way since opening as a specialty coffee shop in downtown Wilmington in 1995, sourcing globally and roasting locally at a time when few, if any, did in the area. Since then, PCJ has expanded to 19 locations across the Carolinas, launched a franchise program and established partnerships with Wilmington International Airport, Novant Health, N.C. State University and Coastal Carolina University.

“Our in-house roasting operation has matured into something we’re genuinely proud of,” said Welch. “It gives direct control over sourcing, roast profiles and consistency from green bean to finished cup. Roasting to order rather than warehousing product is something most coffee brands simply don’t do. Our coffee blends are built by origin and then combined so that each bean represents its source, and together they create something distinctly ours. That’s a real differentiator.”

While coffee is the product, hospitality is the company’s business. “We treat every guest like a regular, whether it’s the first visit or 500th,” Welch said. “That means a quality, consistent experience for every guest every time, without losing the personal touch that makes a smaller place feel like home. From our executive team to our part-time baristas, we’re on a first-name basis with our guests and vendors. Those connections matter.”

Port City Java has invested in training, career paths and benefits, believing that supported employees ultimately create a better customer experience, he said.

From downtown Wilmington to Porters Neck, Masonboro, Southport and Jacksonville, each community with a PCJ location has its own personality.

“We’re very intentional about making sure each location reflects the people who live there,” said Welch. “At the same time, we maintain standards across locations so that brand identity and product quality remain consistent.”

He said the company is careful not to abandon the core offerings customers have relied on for decades.

“More recently, we have launched quarterly seasonal menus giving the team a chance to get creative with new flavor concepts and trending ingredients,” Welch said.

Looking ahead, he said the company will remain competitive through a consistent, strong identity with local roots, locally roasted coffee and a long-standing culture of hospitality.

“People recognize authenticity and value quality,” he said. “We think that positions us well for many years to come.”

William and Rachel Irby, owners of Beginner’s Luck Coffee, operate a true mom-and-pop coffee shop located on Shipyard Boulevard. It’s just the two of them serving coffee flavors from around the world, including Italy, Spain, Australia and New Zealand.

William Irby sees the coffee market as an evolving landscape. “Change is based on all sorts of unpredictable variables like cultural shifts and geopolitical turmoil,” he said. “There’s no need to adapt if you’re exercising even a modicum of humility. Ultimately, people just want a safe place to enjoy a cup of coffee and escape from the madness of the day-to-day.”

That philosophy keeps the Irbys focused on the customer experience. “The thing that makes us unique is that we aren’t really trying to be unique. We stay focused on serving each customer the best drink and the best experience,” William Irby said.

Attention to detail, he said, is their secret ingredient. “We weigh every shot that gets dispensed from our grinder,” William Irby said. “We taste our espresso and drip coffees throughout the day to make sure they’re dialed in. We genuinely want customers to enjoy their drinks.”

Customers also connect with the atmosphere the Irbys have cultivated. “Lighting, temperature, music style and volume all matter. Think The White Stripes playing a set in your grandmother’s living room,” William Irby said. “That’s our vibe.”

Michael Powell is one of the founders and owners of Drift Coffee & Kitchen, which began as a coffee shop in Ocean Isle Beach in 2014 and has since expanded to 13 locations in the Wilmington area and beyond. He said independent coffee shops appear to be growing even faster than larger chains in the region.

“The general consumer has become much more aware of what they’re spending their money on and what they’re putting in their bodies,” Powell said. “They find value out of going to coffee shops that are well-staffed, where the quality of drinks is good, creative and interesting and where they feel taken care of by the staff.”

Managing editor Cece Nunn contributed to this story.