Moxxee Coffee, Charleston WV: What Happened and Where to Go Now

Moxxee Coffee is closed. The East End shop at 301 Morris Street closed on February 14, 2019. Moxxee had served Charleston for about a decade. Charleston still has a strong independent coffee scene, and this guide points you to it.

What Moxxee was

Moxxee opened on Charleston’s East End, a short walk from the West Virginia State Capitol. The shop drew state workers, students, and neighbors from the surrounding historic district. Regulars praised the comfortable seating and the relaxed, design-minded room.

Moxxee also took brewing seriously. The shop used a Clover, a single-cup brewing machine that was rare in smaller American cities at the time. A Clover brews one cup at a time with vacuum pressure. The result is a clean cup that shows off a coffee’s origin.

For a city of under 50,000 people, that was an ambitious bet. Moxxee helped show that Charleston would support specialty coffee, not only diner refills.

Why Moxxee closed

The owner announced the closing in February 2019. Local news reported the reasons as personal rather than financial. Key employees were moving on in their careers or returning to school. The management also wanted more time for family.

The building at 301 Morris Street no longer operates as Moxxee. Old listings online may still show the name, so check before you plan a visit around it.

Where to drink coffee in Charleston now

Charleston’s coffee scene did not end with Moxxee. Several independent shops now fill the same role, and most sit downtown within a short walk of each other.

Taylor Books is the downtown anchor. The bookstore, café, and art gallery share one long storefront at 226 Capitol Street. Taylor Books opens early on weekdays, which suits a coffee before the workday. The café works well for a slow cup with a new paperback.

Mea Cuppa runs two Charleston locations. The Coffee Nook sits at 123 Capitol Street, close to Taylor Books. The Coffee Lounge is at 715 Bigley Avenue, north of downtown. Mea Cuppa gets steady praise for its espresso drinks and fresh pastries.

Capitol Street itself is the easiest place to start. The street is compact and walkable, and it holds several cafés, restaurants, and shops. A coffee walk here takes under an hour.

What to order in a Charleston café

Charleston cafés serve the full espresso menu, but a few orders show a shop’s skill best. A plain espresso tells you how carefully the barista dials in the grinder. A pour-over shows the quality of the beans themselves.

Ask what the shop is brewing as its single origin that day. Most baristas will describe the roaster and the flavor notes. A standard drip coffee runs about 350 ml (12 fl oz), so a small is enough for tasting.

Many local shops also sell bags of beans to take home. Buy whole beans and grind them just before brewing.

How to plan a coffee morning

Start on Capitol Street around 8 a.m., when the cafés are open and the street is calm. Order a pour-over or a plain espresso at your first stop. Save milk drinks for the second stop, so you can taste the difference.

Then walk east toward the State Capitol. The walk takes about 20 to 25 minutes along Kanawha Boulevard, a riverside route of about 1.6 km (1 mile). The gold dome rises 89 m (292 ft), and it is worth seeing up close.

Do you like neighborhood cafés with a civic backdrop? Compare this walk with The Daily Cup at Dupont Circle in DC.

Charleston sits on Interstate 64. The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs is about 177 km (110 miles) to the east. Many travelers pair the two in a long weekend.

Our guide to coffee and slow mornings at The Greenbrier covers the resort side of that trip. Charleston gives you the city cafés, and the Greenbrier gives you the long breakfast.

If you go

• Moxxee status: Closed since February 14, 2019. Do not travel for it.
• Taylor Books: 226 Capitol Street, downtown. Bookstore, café, and gallery.
• Mea Cuppa Coffee Nook: 123 Capitol Street, downtown.
• Mea Cuppa Coffee Lounge: 715 Bigley Avenue.
• Best time: Weekday mornings before 9 a.m. for quiet tables.
• Getting there: Charleston sits where I-64, I-77, and I-79 meet. Yeager Airport (CRW) is about 10 minutes from downtown.
• Check first: Café hours change seasonally, so confirm before you go.