Black Coffee is not just an award-winning coffee shop in East Fort Worth. Okay, yes, it is a place for people who love an incredible cup of coffee. But it’s also a gathering space and a hub for eastside culture. It’s a place for people who like local live music and celebrating community. And the driving force behind the success of Black Coffee is an entrepreneur who is inspiring her community and other business-owners in the city: Mia Moss.
WHEN DID BLACK COFFEE OPEN?
"We opened in November 2019. We held off having a grand opening until January 25, 2020, and my husband (Sartorialist and suit-maker Franklin Moss) had just come back from Italy before everything shut down [for the pandemic]."
HOW DID YOU END UP AT YOUR CURRENT LOCATION?
"We live in the Meadowbrook area, and I grew up there. I didn’t want to travel far for a cup of coffee. The norm on Magnolia Avenue is to walk to a coffee shop. We need the same on the East Side – the part that’s not up-and-coming. There’s a market here. We want to show people you can put businesses here and people will patronize them. There’s a fear of gentrification, but my goal is that local community entrepreneurs open places for themselves."
WHAT'S YOUR COFFEE BACKGROUND?
"I worked at Seattle’s Best Coffee (SBC was a chain predecessor of Starbucks, founded in Seattle two years before Starbucks began) in DFW International Airport. I loved the job. I got to talk to so many people. I’m a little bit of an introvert but when I have coffee I can talk to people. I went to the American Barista and Coffee School in Portland (a culinary/business school dedicated to coffee) to learn about the business."
ARE THERE ANY OTHER LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS THAT INSPIRE YOU?
“I'm inspired by my husband, Franklin Moss Jr. who started a custom suit company. It's not common to hear someone open those. He stepped out and did something unique and brought it to the east side of Fort Worth. Now people that wouldn't normally come to the east side have a great reason to do so. I also have other friends doing the same thing. It's beautiful.”
WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF BEING A LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER IN FORT WORTH?
“I love Fort Worth, and I grow to appreciate the city more as I get ‘older.’ I think when I have time to step back, take a breath, and look at what I'm doing I feel really good to be part of the growth and development. I also love working with others who are just as passionate about their businesses.”
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS?
“Take your time. Don't let anyone's expectations push you into something you never planned for your business. Allow your vision to shine. Your uniqueness is vital to your business, so be you. And don't be afraid to ask for help. ‘You have not because you ask not.'"
Black Coffee | Fort Worth, TX 76112
Black Coffee is upping the scene of artisan coffee roasts in East Fort Worth. Black Coffee specializes in interfusing global flavors into their very own craft beverages. Open every day from 7:00 am...