Fate would have it that we both grow up in the same small town in West Virginia, where the convergence of three rivers shaped our shared love for the outdoors and the simple joys of life. The beauty of the sunrise over the river and the warmth of good food around a table were ingrained in our upbringing, as was a mutual calling to venture into the world of coffee.
Rich heeded this calling early on, dedicating over 25 years to the hospitality industry, with a specific focus on coffee for the past decade. A serendipitous introduction by a mutual close friend a few years back brought Rich and Sherry together inspiring them to collaborate on a dream-- a coffee shop for Cornelius that would offer a relaxed atmosphere alongside an inspired cup of coffee and modern comfort food so desperately missing from other coffee shops.
Our mission is to merge the richness of our individual experiences to craft a welcoming ambiance, serve inspired comfort food, and of course, provide top-notch locally roasted coffee, tea, and espresso drinks.
- Rich and Sherry
Bluestone Lake
Hinton WV
Sherry
Sherry's professional journey spans two decades in product development and marketing for IBM, Bank of America, and Deloitte, marking the corporate phase of my life. In the subsequent chapter, which I affectionately term the "master dabbler" phase, I've embraced roles as diverse as an artist, house flipper, retail and art gallery owner, social media manager, and, most notably, a passionate traveler. Throughout those years, the persistent dream of owning a coffee shop hummed in the background.
An enduring joy for me was exploring the quaint and trendiest coffee establishments in cities like Rome, Sydney, Amsterdam, Seattle, New York, and every charming nook and cranny in between. This chapter is dedicated to transforming Willow Wood into a place that earns its spot on your list of cherished favorites.
RICH
Raised in the picturesque surroundings of Hinton, WV, Rich developed a deep love for the outdoors, with natural rivers and woods shaping his appreciation for nature. After completing his education at Marshall University, he embarked on a career in the hospitality industry in 1996, initially managing full-service restaurants.
In 2013, Rich redirected his career trajectory toward the coffee industry, seizing the opportunity to oversee coffee shops and glean insights from coffee connoisseurs. His journey in this field has fostered a genuine appreciation for fine specialty coffee and its power to bring people together in various ways.
Rich's enthusiasm extends beyond the coffee itself; he is fervently dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and finds joy in cultivating relationships with both guests and staff. His ultimate goal is to bring happiness to people's lives and witness the satisfaction reflected in their smiles.
