Over the past few days, discerning guests at Hyperion Espresso may have noticed a handful of white sticky notes stuck to the gold containers behind the bar where the coffee beans are stored.
The makeshift labels, with titles like “Route 39” and flavor notes, are the work of Jack Scholl. Scholl, the managing partner of Roadmap Coffeeworks in Lexington, Virginia, and a 2011 graduate of the University of Mary Washington, bought the iconic downtown shop from founders Dan Peterson and Ana Brugos in July.
Hyperion closed – somewhat cryptically – on Thursday afternoon. When the shop on the corner of William and Princess Anne Streets reopened at 7 a.m. on Friday under Scholl’s ownership, you would have hardly noticed any difference.
The feeling of continuity was intentional, said Scholl.
“Basically, I don’t want to change everyone’s favorite cafe,” he said. “Not at all.”
Scholl grew up in Rockbridge County in the southwestern part of the state. The crisp mountain air was tempered by the heady aroma of the coffee beans his father roasted in the back of their Lexington store. His mother worked the bar up front.
“Literally a real mom-and-pop shop,” he said.
Scholl returned to the family business three years ago and never forgot the similar role Hyperion played in the downtown business community.
A look at some of the new roasts being sold at Hyperion. Mixed drink lovers need not fear: Your Monkeylicious is here to stay. (Photo by Joey LoMonaco)
“For me, it’s something of an institution in Fredericksburg,” said Scholl, who compared Hyperion to Bodo’s Bagels in Charlottesville.
When he heard that Peterson and Brugos were looking to sell the company they had owned and operated since 1994, he was immediately drawn to Hyperion as a growth opportunity for his brand.
“For me, the decision regarding coffee was a no-brainer,” he said.
Multiple calls to Peterson seeking comment on the ownership change were not returned at the time of publication.
Scholl urged patience in the coming weeks as he and his employees will have to contend with the inevitable “growing pains” of a change of ownership.
While tamping and tapping coffee during a recent visit, a longtime barista initially expressed cautious optimism.
“People were nervous,” she admitted about the change, “but we got to try the coffee. It’s really good.”
Among the most noticeable changes behind the hood, Scholl said, is the upcoming arrival of some “shiny new equipment behind the bar” related to the coffee-making process. All roasts sold at Roadmap’s Lexington location or online can be purchased from Hyperion.
“There will be a little more variety in the coffee varieties,” he said. “There will be more focus on the beans themselves.”
So, yes, it is the beginning of a new era for the cafe that shares its name with the Greek Titan/Sun God.
But it’s still Hyperion Espresso.
“You come by, get your Monkeylicious, and also take home a bag of natural Ethiopian coffee,” he said. “And it will absolutely blow your mind.”
