Sometimes we need a great place to go to sit and rest. We need a place that we don’t feel the need to hurry and leave. At times we want a safe place to gather and come together with other people to enjoy conversation and fellowship. I have the perfect place that features it all, King Street Coffee Co. in downtown Dalton.
The location has only been open since the middle of October, but you won’t have any trouble finding it. It’s the attractive storefront with the nice outdoor seating close to the Whitfield County Courthouse (you may remember the location housing an eye doctor or a vacuum repair business). There’s plenty of parking, and they also offer handicapped parking on the side lot with the entrance directly on one level with no stairs.
I’ve been seeing some of the great foods and drinks offered via their Facebook page (you can also see their menu), so I had to drop by. I don’t know when I have had a more enjoyable visit. The husband-and-wife owners are just as great as the food and drinks and the atmosphere.
The interior had a total makeover to make everything perfect for customers (the owners did much of the work themselves). The cozy area features tables and chairs for small or large groups, a sofa and Wi-Fi. If that wasn’t great enough, there’s a huge back room perfect for sitting and reading while enjoying coffee, playing games, working on your laptop, relaxing or chatting with a few friends. There’s even a ping-pong table just in case you feel like putting down your drink for a few minutes to have some friendly competition. You can also rent the larger space for your private events.
The owner is a coffee lover and managed a coffee shop out of town in the past. He enjoyed the people, he liked serving people, and liked seeing the customers enjoy the food he prepared. He takes so much pride in making food for others. So, the pair decided to create this fantastic place in our area (the couple have jobs at a church and a school in town, so their love for this community and the people is huge).
I had to try a smoothie. I’d seen awesome photos on their Facebook page, so it was calling to me. I had the berry smoothie, which is all fruit, and contains berries and no added sugar or powders. Boy was it great. The taste was perfect and so fresh and, well, smooth. It wasn’t too thick or too thin, just a great texture. I did add the house-made whipping cream, which was wonderful. You may also get a tropical smoothie, which I will have to try on my next visit.
They also offer hot coffees and teas, hot chocolate, cold coffees (the coffee is locally roasted), root beer floats and frappes. Of course, I had to try a frappe. I can’t pass one up on any occasion, and the caramel decaf frappe was just what I needed to make it a perfect afternoon visit. The iced, flavorful drink was one of the best I’ve had, and you know how picky I am about frappes. The blended flavors were great, and I love they offer decaffeinated coffee.
A customer, one of my former awesome students, ordered a raspberry white chocolate coffee just as I was leaving, so that will be on my list next time, too.
Sweet treats are on the menu also. I enjoyed a chocolate chip muffin and a blueberry muffin, and both were amazing. They paired perfectly with my beverages. Also featured on the menu are apple cinnamon muffins (their best-sellers are the muffins, berry smoothies and vanilla lattes).
Local music was featured during opening day, and special nights of music may be in the near future. In fact, the owners have many, many special and creative things planned for the coffee shop in the days to come. One thing high on their priority list is giving back to the community.
That means you will need to visit often and check out their social media to see what’s happening. You don’t want to miss anything going on.
The hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. This gives you plenty of time to go and enjoy a great drink and treat and relax, or invite friends to join you and catch up on the latest happenings.
The owners wanted a calm place in our community where people can go to process the day. Whether your day has been a good one or maybe it’s been one of those days where things have been challenging, King Street Coffee Co. is a place to go and recharge or relax. We all need that. Life can be hard. Find this place in our town that allows you to linger as long as you wish and enjoy a little bit of joy in the food and beverages they offer.
Please look for the owners and/or one of the fantastic employees as they will make your visit one of the best ever. After talking with them you may not need that caffeine and muffins for a lift, but go ahead and have something. It will be delicious!
Sandra Derrick, a lifelong Daltonian, is a retired educator who taught home economics for 30 years in Whitfield County Schools.