Shore to Shore: Fika Coffee Roasting brings grandma’s house to life
SNOW HILL, Md. — A little coffee shop in Snow Hill is brewing up comfort. WMDT met with the local shop that emulates the warmth of grandma’s house in the newest edition of Shore to Shore.
In Snow Hill, Fika Coffee Roasting is doing more than just brewing coffee. It’s serving up the comfort of grandma’s house.
Owner and head roaster Molly Ralph said, “When I was home with my kids during COVID, I started getting into coffee on a deeper level. I got a home roaster and began roasting on the countertop. It was something I could do with the kids running around, and it was really interesting and exciting.”
What started as a hobby during social distancing has grown into a charming coffee shop on the corner of old-town Snow Hill. But what makes this shop special is that it roasts coffee beans in-house.
“You can really bring out the flavor of the bean, and you can help coffee stay true to the agricultural crop that it is — something people spend their lives growing and producing. It’s really special in that way,” Ralph said.
She added that roasting the beans makes her feel more connected to the people who grow them. The science of roasting, combined with the farmers’ craft, brings the flavors to the forefront.
“We source it clearly, so we know exactly where it’s grown. Having it roasted right here, I think people in this area really care about that and take it to heart,” Ralph said.
While she takes time to nurture the beans’ flavors, she’s not afraid to experiment with specialty drinks.
“We basically just come up with ideas and try them. We make syrups when we can. This month, we made blueberry and cherry. Sometimes it doesn’t work, and you have to start from scratch,” Ralph said.
The flavors aren’t the only thing that makes this coffee shop unique; the decor takes you down memory lane.
“We basically sourced everything from Facebook Marketplace. For the first few weeks before opening, I drove around picking up random pieces of furniture,” Ralph said. “A lot of pieces also came from my grandmother’s house. We have Reginald the Fox in particular — he was my childhood friend at my grandma’s house.”
Grandma’s house is full of puzzles, books, games, and the best pastries and drinks, making it feel like home.
“I think everyone needs to take a pause. That’s truly the essence of Fika. It’s Swedish for coffee with friends, and it’s all about enjoying the moment and appreciating what’s around you,” Ralph said.
Fika Coffee Roasting is a place for people to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee while sitting among other local businesses that grace the walls of the coffee house.
To celebrate its one-year anniversary, Fika will offer a specialty flavor this month: vanilla orange blossom with a honey kick.
If you have any local business recommendations for Shore to Shore, email Haley Rae at Haley_rae@WMDT.com.
