Mississippi Made: Oxford's Coffee Craze Growing

Gretchen Williams had just graduated from Ole Miss with a degree in exercise science, so she took an internship with the Department of Health in Long Beach, California to put her degree to good use.
“I took a job at the Department of Health, and I hated that,” said Gretchen Williams the owner of Heartbreak Coffee, which debuts at Double Decker later this month.
Searching for answers, William pulled out her phone.
“I literally Googled on my phone: coffee shop,” said Williams. “I was sitting at this new place I had just rented, and there was one within walking distance and right across from the pier in Seal Beach. I walked down there thinking it would be a temporary thing that I can do for a while until I figure out what I really want to do.”
Williams approached the shop across the pier for employment and got hired on the spot. She fell in love with the aroma of being in a coffee shop and interacting with customers.
What was a side-gig turned into a hobby, and then a full-time job. Gretchen started getting into specialty coffees and third-way coffee; something that she thought would be new to Mississippi. She decided to return to Oxford and open up shop for herself.
“I moved back from California in September and started the operation then, as far as roasting and stuff goes,” said Williams. “It just got to the point where I was ready for a bit slower pace and affordable life.”
A graphic designer, Getchen’s girlfriend came up with a name for the new business: Heatbreak Coffee. When the Oxford Community Market starts on Tuesday, April 18, at the Old Armory Pavilion, Williams will be there selling her coffee. She will also be at Double Decker this year.
“The end of this month is when we will start the mobile unit and start doing coffee and doing pop ups around town.”
https://youtu.be/8czKXUTVi7g

Coffee Choices
The sweet smell of snicker doodle fills the room as Oxford local, Lucy Fyfe, 20, a psychology major at Northwest Community College, grinds a fresh bag of coffee bean at Cups.
Originating in Jackson, Mississippi, Cups now has locations throughout Northern Mississippi, the Oxford store focuses on being Mississippi made.
“People like things more local,” Fyfe said, “With the local art as well as using Brown’s Family
Dairy, it feels closer to home.”
Founded in 1993, Cups an Espresso Cafe, came to Oxford in 2014.
“We might be more personable. Compared to the Jackson Cups, this cups is more catered to the college crowd,” Fyfe said, “It’s really laid back.”
Roasting their own beans in Jackson, Cups has found a loyal following in Oxford.
“Growing up in Oxford, I always drank High Point Coffee,” Sarah Heleniak, 21, senior at Ole
Miss said. “ When Cups came here I found a new local favorite.”
https://youtu.be/bidpO1Bq2oA
Story contributed by Kate Robison, Emily Guess, Connor Heitzmann and Kaitlyn Collins.