Vagabond Coffee Co. has officially opened its downtown Jacksonville location in the VyStar Tower at 76 S. Laura St.
The opening marks Vagabond’s second location, having opened its flagship brick-and-mortar location in Murray Hill in 2015. The company, founded by Will and Samantha Morgan, launched in 2014 out of a 1963 Scotty Highlander known as the “Coffee Camper” and operated out of the Laura Street Trio lot and James Weldon Johnson Park. The opening of the downtown location comes during Vagabond’s seventh year in business.
“We started downtown, and over the last seven years we’ve been fortunate enough to establish some great relationships with other local businesses and the people working and living here. The opportunity to work with VyStar was just a natural fit because we’ve had a consistent reputation in the community, and we’re trying to bring more community downtown,” said Will Morgan. “This isn’t just another opening to us. I have a heart for the city and I love being here. Vagabond belongs in the heart of the city, and the heart of the city is downtown.”
The 150-square-foot space built by Kasper Architecture +Associates is on the first floor of the VyStar Tower near the North Riverbank entrance facing the VyStar Breezeway. The Vagabond Downtown menu includes a variety of coffees, including espresso, cappuccino, cold brew and drip coffee, as well as a seasonal selection of hand pies, homemade pop tarts and brown butter chocolate chip cookies. The storefront is open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays.
“We’re thrilled to officially welcome Vagabond to the VyStar Tower and add to the growing list of small, locally owned businesses that call our campus home,” said VyStar EVP/Chief Operations Officer Chad Meadows. “Vagabond has been a beloved part of the downtown Jacksonville community for several years, and it’s an honor to be a part of its expansion while supporting a local business.”
Vagabond Coffee Co. joins Bread & Board, Bread and Burger, Bread & Board Provisions and Estrella Cocina at VyStar’s downtown campus, adding to the credit union’s revitalization and development efforts downtown. In addition to creating a vibrant destination with new restaurants, VyStar supports the local arts downtown through free events such as Mid-Week Music in the Breezeway, Art Walk Wednesdays, Jax River Jams and more. In September, VyStar unveiled a mural on the brick exterior of its 100 W. Bay building painted by Jacksonville-based artist Anthony Rooney.
To learn more about Vagabond Coffee Co., visit the Vagabond Coffee Co. website.
