The past month has seen a whirlwind of remodeling activity at the  newly relocated Openroad Coffee & Tea on Hwy. 108 (915 W. Mills St.) in Columbus. Now in its “soft opening” phase, co-owners Stan Yoder, his wife Julia, and their business partner, Dan Ferebee, have seen their business volume quadruple from their prior location in Tryon.
“We wanted to be in a location that would be easier for people driving down the road to have access to, and this is a commuter-friendly location,” said Stan Yoder. The 2,400 sq. ft. building features a drive-thru window that will open in the next few weeks.
The coffee shop features a variety of hot and cold coffee drinks, whole leaf teas and pastries. A green smoothie bar will feature fresh, organic and some locally-sourced ingredients when possible. Pastries are made daily, starting at 3 a.m. Ferebee says the company roasts its own coffee in Polk County’s only roaster, and Yoder adds that all sauces and syrups are homemade. Lunch ingredients are sourced from farmer’s markets.
Openroad is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.  A date for a ribbon cutting and grand opening will be announced.