Woman-powered Wilmington coffee truck to soon open a Cargo District storefront

Allison Ballard, Wilmington StarNews
Brighter Days Coffee, which has served the Wilmington area via a truck since 2019, is preparing to open a storefront location in Wilmington's Cargo District.
Brighter Days Coffee, which has served the Wilmington area via a truck since 2019, is preparing to open a storefront location in Wilmington's Cargo District.

Arie Farrior had a son and started a business at about the same time. And from the start, her Brighter Days coffee truck has been about family and empowerment.

Since 2019, she’s made coffee using beans from women farmers and growers and then created signature coffee drinks with a mostly female staff using house-made syrups and accoutrements. Popular drinks include the Dirty Hippie, with cinnamon and honey, and the lavender-and-vanilla Crunchy Mom.

There’s a distinct vibe – one that promotes a comfortable judgment-free atmosphere.

"We definitely have a boho feel," Farrior said.

In addition to catering events for local businesses and the film industry, she’s also been gathering fans at farmers markets from Carolina Beach to Poplar Grove Plantation. Now, a storefront is in the works for Wilmington's recently expanded Cargo District.

The Crunchy Mom drink from Brighter Days Coffee is one of their most popular and comes with a house blend of lavender and house-made vanilla bean syrup that can be added to lattes or cold brew.
The Crunchy Mom drink from Brighter Days Coffee is one of their most popular and comes with a house blend of lavender and house-made vanilla bean syrup that can be added to lattes or cold brew.

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It will be located near the newly relocated and reopened Mess Hall, in a garden-filled outpost that's being updated and renovated for new businesses. The Garden Shop on Moss at 1942 Moss St. is home to Wild Magnolia Designs and Kent Street Station, a co-working space and outdoor market.

"It's a great place with plants and flowers, yoga, artists, pottery," Farrior said. "I think coffee will work well there. And it will be nice for us to have a place where our customers can always find us."

In addition to her specialty coffees, look for mimosas and a selection of local baked goods. The space is mostly ready. They just need to make a few tweaks and then add all of the appropriate design elements.

She hopes they can open in a few weeks.

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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Brighter Days Coffee shop to open in Wilmington Cargo District

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