It’s always a brew-tiful day in Pinehurst — and if you’ve ever gone to village staple The Roast Office you have surely heard the infectious laugh of queen bean Carol Hess, who loves serving up jokes to her staff and customers.
Carol has been managing The Roast Office since 2016, where putting customer service first means regulars will have a drink in their hand before they can even say hello.
The Roast Office shares a reading/ sipping space with the Given Book Shop. It won best coffee shop in Best of the Pines 2021, an accomplishment both Carol and cafe owners Mark and Kelly Elliott take pride in.
If you ask what time The Roast Office opens, Carol’s famous catch phrase is, “if the lights are on, coffee’s- a- brewing!” The official hours are 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
So what keeps Carol on her grind? We’re spilling the beans.
A Q&A With Carol Hess
Q: What is your favorite drink from The Roast Office?
The Milky Way – A latte containing dark chocolate, caramel, and vanilla.
(Maybe if we’re lucky we’ll get our own drink on the drink-of-the-day board — we’re thinking something hot and maybe a little bitter.)
Q: What keeps you going?
My customers and my amazing staff. I couldn’t do it without them.
Q: Why do you love what you do?
You get to be the first one a person may see in the morning, and you get to make their day.
The Roast Office is located at 95 Cherokee Rd, Pinehurst
