When Daniel and Monica Drennen moved to Wake Forest in 2012 for Daniel to become the director of media services at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, it would have been difficult to predict the course their lives would eventually take. But in 2021, they began pursuing an opportunity to bring a unique coffee brand called Summer Moon to North Carolina. In October 2022, the couple opened their first location at 3600 Rogers Branch Road in the Wheatmore development, with another location set to open at Grove 98 this fall.
Daniel and Monica, both 42, work at the shop alongside the oldest of their three children (ages 11, 14, and 17). Their daughter serves as a barista, and Monica oversees operations.
"It's a labor of love," they say. "We love it and want others to love it."
Serving the Texas-based company's signature oak-roasted coffee and espresso beans—with or without their trademark "Moon Milk," a delicious and unique creation—the smooth, less bitter coffee stands out as one of the best that many customers say they've ever had.
Daniel said there was no locally-owned coffee option in the Heritage neighborhood of Wake Forest, where they spend a good bit of time, and where the original Summer Moon is located.
Roasted in the Texas Hill Country in the same wood-fired brick ovens that the company founders built—and using the same process as 19th-century coffee masters—the beans are shipped to more than 60 franchise locations across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Illinois, Wisconsin, South Carolina, and now, North Carolina.
Daniel was first inspired 15 years ago while meeting friends at a coffee shop for a Friday morning bible study. A warm cup, sharing experiences, and mutual encouragement compelled him to consider opening a space of his own where others could experience that kind of community.
"We had many conversations about it over the years, but it was never the right time," Daniel said, sitting with Monica at the shop in late July. Then in 2021, a friend suggested reaching out to Summer Moon. Based in South Austin, Texas, the friend said the company was looking to partner with local families.
After a conversation with the CEO of Summer Moon, Daniel and Monica packed up the family and flew to West Texas to meet with the owners at their ranch, where the three founders, Bruce, Dustin, and Justin, have been brewing their signature blends of coffee for nearly 20 years.
"A local auction changed the trajectory of their family," Summer Moon’s website shares about the founders. A winning bid on coffee equipment led to the first coffee shop in 2002, the creation of Moon Milk, their first hand-built roaster, and the opening of Summer Moon Coffee Bar on South First Street in South Austin, Texas, in 2005.
"The formulation of Moon Milk is a story of midnight alchemy," the founders write. "Under a summer moon, late into the night, we landed on our legendary creamer. Perfected to accompany our espresso in the Summer Moon Latte, Moon Milk complements the oak-roasted undertones of our coffees, rather than overpowering them. That’s the magic of moon milk."
But more than that, it’s the Summer Moon spirit and Texas hospitality, they say. "A commitment to kindness. We believe coffee brings us all together and is a vehicle for community."
Daniel and Monica couldn't agree more. "The community has been very responsive," Daniel says. "The Triangle is a coffee region, and people have high expectations for coffee."
"We love the Heritage community, and this seemed to be the perfect fit," Monica said. "People say the coffee is amazing and appreciate the hospitality in this clean, open space."
Their favorites—and most highly recommended offerings—include the Blue Moon Latte, the Cinnamon Latte, the Autumn Moon Latte, and Velvet Blaze on drip, as well as the special brew of the month.
The choice to first open the 1,650-square-foot shop on Rogers Branch Road was an easy one, as well as the decision to expand into Grove 98, where the new space will be 1,000 square feet larger.
"We have such an appreciation for Wake Forest and decided to open another shop that serves the people of this great area," Daniel said. Grove 98 makes for an ideal spot for the second shop.
Construction began last month, and they plan to be open by mid-October. With 15-20 staff members, it's a team effort to delight every customer with exceptional hospitality and quality beverages. Baristas go through an intensive four-day training process before they begin serving.
For the Drennens, it's the people they serve and the future generations they're training that make the shop the labor of love it is.
"We have a great team," Monica said. "It's been really enjoyable and very rewarding to build relationships with customers and train first-time baristas who could be the next generation of coffee shop owners."
"We love our regulars, many of them introduce friends and family to Summer Moon for the first time," Daniel said. "We know the people, and they know us. That creates a community."
Jason Cannon, President of the Wake Forest Business & Industry Partnership (WFBIP), counts himself among the coffee shop's many fans.
"Daniel and Monica have made a tremendous contribution to the Heritage and the greater Wake Forest community," Cannon says. "I've had the pleasure of drinking some excellent coffee and enjoying the atmosphere at Summer Moon on many occasions. We congratulate them on their success over the past three years and look forward to patronizing their new location as soon as they open this fall!"
