After a string of pop-ups, Godspeed Coffee is settling down in the very place where it all began.
The locally owned coffee concept, led by baristas Roger Caughman and Kailey Cunningham, is building out its first permanent location inside the former Starbucks by the Five Points. The space once housed beloved counter-culture shop The Joyful Alternative and was home to Columbia’s first downtown Starbucks for two decades.
Godspeed’s journey has come full circle. After launching in 2024 with a vinyl-and-coffee pop-up alongside Papa Jazz, the team later set up in the front area of the Boyd Innovation Center. Now, with the help of building owner Richard Burts — who helped guide the early pop-ups — they’re returning to where it started.
Sparrow Construction is leading the buildout, uncovering vintage wallpaper and colorful layers of the building’s past while preparing the space for its next chapter. The floors — a mosaic-style tile seen in various Five Points businesses like Drip and Jake’s — are being carefully restored, and plans call for a large central bar, warm wood finishes, and a future walk-up window for special events. “We’re bringing new energy to a familiar space,” Caughman said. “It’ll feel both fresh and nostalgic.”
The build marks Sparrow’s largest commercial project to date. Most of their previous work has been residential, but the team also led the buildout of Old Skool Outfitter’s new location in the Vista.
Godspeed plans to offer indoor and outdoor seating, and a cozy atmosphere for catching up with friends — or meeting a new one for the first time. In preparation, the team has logged more than ~5,000 miles sourcing equipment and furnishings, including their new espresso machine and a set of vintage church pews. While a full kitchen isn’t possible due to the building’s limitations, a creative food program with baked goods, pressed sandwiches, and bagels is something the team has in mind. If all goes to plan, they’ll be open by the end of the year.
