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Restoration 49Coffee & Customs

Restoration 49 Coffee House in Tallassee has all the charm of a smalltown business, but it’s the quirkiness of the vintage cars that draws patrons in to take a closer look. An old VW Bug adds to the coziness of the front patio at the entrance to the shop. Once inside, the inviting atmosphere with chandeliers, exposed brick, warm wood tables and chairs make this a perfect spot to become a regular visitor.

Haley and Dylan Daniels opened the coffee shop in late January of 2021. The past year and a half of hard work is paying off for the young couple. The idea came to them after they moved back to Tallassee, Haley’s home town, after living in Opelika.

“We had a favorite coffee shop in downtown Opelika where we would meet almost every day,” explained Dylan Daniels. “We really missed it, so we decided that we should open a shop here.”

Dylan’s love for restoring vintage cars was included in the plan. His grandfather’s 1949 Ford sits in the front window.

“My granddad’s Ford was the first car I ever restored. When we found out the building was also built in 1949, it seemed like a perfect place for us, and that’s why we included 49 in the name,” Daniels said.

The building had been sitting empty for years before they bought it. Restoration was necessary to get up and running. Daniel’s talent is on display in the handmade coffee bar and tables. He hopes to use his workshop in the back to continue his passion for car restoration in the future. The couple has rented the upstairs space to a fitness center, and they enjoy serving coffee and smoothies to the post-workout crowd.

A friend and local artist added to the unique atmosphere with iron sculptures placed around

STORY BY ERIN CHESNUTT PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

High Test All the Way

Clockwise from Left: Daniels' 1949 Ford is a perfect fit for the 1949 building; Vintage charm meets modern service behind the counter; A vintage VW Bug greets customers.

the shop. Wild Fire Bakery, just around the corner, delivers homemade pastry for patrons to enjoy with their coffee, tea and smoothies. The spot is becoming a regular stop for visitors to the area as well.

“We see a lot of the same people stopping in on their way to the lake in the summer, and now we are getting to know some of the Auburn football fans. It’s becoming a regular stop as they travel to Auburn for the Saturday games,” Daniels said.

The success of the shop is offering new opportunities. A building owner in Wetumpka who wanted to see a quality coffee shop open in the downtown shopping district approached the Daniels with the prospect. The couple agreed to expand their business. They plan to open a smaller shop in Wetumpka before the end of the year. This location will be called Restoration Coffee House. Daniels is busy constructing the coffee bar for the new location in his workshop, so it will have that same vintage charm as the original Tallassee location.

The couple enjoys being an active part in the community. They are planning seasonal entertainment on Saturdays and plan to have Christmas carolers to add to the holiday spirit this winter. In addition to the new shop in Wetumpka and coming up with creative ideas to delight their customers, the Daniels are excited to welcome their first baby, a little boy named Samson, to the family in February.

Restoration 49 is open every day except Sunday. Daniels opens the shop at 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, and Haley works until 5:30 p.m. The shop is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Stop in for a warm welcome and a great cup of coffee.