09/29/2026
Happy National Coffee Day !
We are OPEN from 11-6 today !
☕️ A LITTLE CUP OF LINCOLNTON HISTORY… ☕️
Since it's National Coffee Day, we thought we'd take a little trip through history—right here in our own hometown.
We all know Lincolnton as the charming town surrounding our beautiful Court Square, but did you know that coffee has been part of the story of Lincoln County for well over 250 years?
☕️ LET'S GO BACK TO 1772…
Long before Lincolnton looked anything like it does today, pioneers were settling this area.
One of the coolest coffee connections we found comes from local historian Alfred Nixon, whose historical account of Lincoln County records an agreement involving pioneer Derrick Ramsour.
In 1772, Ramsour arranged for his sons to provide for him throughout his lifetime—and among the provisions were:
☕️ 2 pounds of coffee
🍵 3 pounds of Bohea tea
🍬 30 pounds of sugar
🥃 12 gallons of wh***ey
🧂 1 bushel of salt
🌾 plus wheat, corn, butter, beef and other necessities.
Yes… COFFEE was specifically written into the agreement. 😂☕️
That means we have a documented coffee connection in the Lincoln County area dating all the way back to 1772—13 years before Lincolnton was established as the county seat in 1785!
And just think about what that means…
The people living here in the pioneer days didn't have a Starbucks, drive-thru, espresso machine, fancy syrups or pumpkin spice lattes.
But they had coffee. ☕️
And apparently, it was important enough to make sure there was a supply of it.
🏛️ 1785 — LINCOLNTON IS ESTABLISHED
Lincolnton was established as the county seat on December 29, 1785. The town was laid out around a central courthouse with the streets and blocks forming the downtown grid we still recognize today.
Over the generations, downtown Lincolnton became a place where people came together for business, conversation, shopping, meals and community.
And coffee has always fit pretty naturally into that picture.
☕️ FAST FORWARD TO 1995…
One of Lincolnton's most recognizable coffee traditions began much more recently.
Fausto Coffee's history goes back to 1995, when Chaffin Rhyne opened the shop as an extension of his bicycle shop. The name “Fausto” was inspired by legendary Italian cyclist Fausto Coppi.
Today, Fausto remains part of downtown Lincolnton's coffee culture, and current owners Miriah Truluck-Rhodes and Jacob Rhodes have continued that tradition since purchasing the shop in 2010. The shop has also roasted its own coffee for nearly a decade.
☕️ AND TODAY…
Lincolnton has grown, changed and added new chapters to its story—and coffee is still bringing people together.
From longtime local coffee traditions to newer coffee shops and cafés, there are now plenty of places around town where people can grab a cup, meet a friend, start their morning or simply slow down for a few minutes.
And right here on Court Square, we're proud to be another little part of Lincolnton's ongoing story at Milk & Honey Mercantile. 🤎
Because maybe that's what makes coffee so special.
It isn't just a drink.
It's mornings.
It's conversations.
It's catching up with a friend.
It's sitting around the table.
It's taking a few minutes to slow down.
It's the smell that wakes up the whole house.
It's the cup you make for someone you love.
And apparently… it's been part of life around Lincoln County for a VERY long time. ☕️🤎
So this National Coffee Day, raise your favorite mug to Lincolnton, its history, and all the stories still being written here.
Here's to the next chapter. ☕️📖
Happy National Coffee Day from all of us at
Milk & Honey Mercantile 🤎
