Casual conversation fills the air as customers order their favorite beverages, and Tommy Barrows wants his customers to feel at home at the Pell City Coffee Company.

“Necessity is the mother of all inventions,” says Barrows, co-owner of Pell City Coffee Company.  

And Pell City needed a coffee shop.

In business for two months, the Pell City Coffee Company, provides residents with a local alternative to the fast-food chains.  Barrows says customers constantly thank him for opening a coffee shop in Pell City, for creating an environment where people can hang out and relax.

Barrows is a first-time business owner who is enjoying the experience.  “It’s all new, but you learn as you go.  I’ve enjoyed getting to know my customers and seeing people I haven’t seen in years.”

Pell City Coffee Company was a dream for Barrows that took years to transform into a reality.  Barrows came close to signing a lease to open up a business in the Walmart shopping center about 10 years ago, but plans fell through.  A jack-of-all-trades, Barrows drove a truck and later worked at the Honda plant as a trainer on the production line.  “My friends are always telling me they never know what to expect from me or what I’ll do next.”

A single dad with two teenage sons, Barrows wanted to go into a line of work that allowed him to spend more time with his family, and opening the coffee shop provided that opportunity.  “I wanted to create a family-oriented place, so I could spend more time with them in these few short years before they leave home.”  Barrows sons work along side him at the shop after school.  “Family comes first,” Barrows said.

When Barrow decided to open the business, he had a coffee shop in mind for many reasons.  “Statistically 400 million cups of coffee are sold every day.”  Barrow says that even in a weakened economy, coffee is something people still work into their budgets.  According to Barrow, doing research, knowing your product and knowing your customers are key elements in starting a new business.  But Barrows also says people need to make sure they choose to go into business for the right reasons.

“Only a fool would go into business to get rich.  If you go into business to get rich, you’re going into the wrong business,” Barrows said.  “And you have to be passionate and genuine about it.  If there is no commitment, people don’t buy into that.”

Pell City Coffee offers a variety of drinks, desserts and home-baked goods.  The shop is located at 1605 Martin Street, open Mon.-Sat, 6 a.m.-8 p.m and Sun., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.