By Kyle Coppola
Ground Up Coffee Bar in Mount Dora Is A Hidden Local Gem
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — In the heart of Mount Dora, Ground Up Coffee Bar is making waves as a go-to spot for high-quality coffee and beverages with a commitment to locally sourced ingredients and exceptional service. When I say this is seriously some of the best coffee and drink bar in Central Florida I mean it! If you don’t believe me go try it for yourself. Owned and operated by Katie and Jesse Lorentz, the coffee bar combines a love for quality products with a passion for creating memorable customer experiences.
(Jesse and Katie opened Ground Up Coffee in 2021 after moving from Oregon.)
Jesse and Katie met in 2005 at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. They married in 2007 and have two children. They lived in Oregon for several years until moving to Florida in 2021 with the intentions of opening a coffee stand in Florida.
Katie, a former barista with six years of experience at Starbucks and Dutch Bros, left an eight-year career in the medical-spa industry to pursue this dream. Jesse, who served six years in the Oregon National Guard and 11 years in law enforcement, joined Katie in the venture after moving from Oregon to Florida in 2021. Together, they’ve created a community-focused coffee stand that reflects their values and journey.
(Katie is a former Starbucks Barista. Ground Up Coffee not only offers great coffee but smoothies and healthy drink options as well.)
“We’re dedicated to quality service and quality coffee,” says Katie. “It’s important to us that our customers not only enjoy their drinks but also the experience.”
Ground Up Coffee Bar offers a variety of beverages, including real fruit smoothies with simple ingredients, plant-based energy drinks infused with natural flavorings, and gluten-free, GMO-free, preservative-free products. Their menu is tailored for health-conscious customers who value natural and fresh options.
The coffee bar’s emphasis on convenience doesn’t come at the expense of quality. “We know people are busy,” Jesse said. “That’s why we focus on quick service without sacrificing the taste or experience.”
(This beatuiful peppermint mocha is one of many awesome creations you can find at Ground Up Coffee.)
Beyond the beverages, Ground Up Coffee Bar takes pride in making every customer interaction special. Their goal is for you to leave with a smile, and that is exactly the way you feel. This is local business at it’s finest and if you have the opportunity, we highly reccommend stopping by. You’ll be glad you did.
The couple’s journey from Oregon to Florida began with the dream of opening a coffee bar that reflects their passion for community, service, and great coffee. Ground Up Coffee Bar is now a testament to their hard work and shared vision.
(Jesse holds up one of the many healthy drink options you can try at Ground Up Coffee Bar.)
Customers can find Ground Up Coffee Bar on google or on Yelp and experience their blend of top-tier coffee, friendly service, and locally sourced products firsthand. Be sure to visit their website as well. Click here to check out their website and menu.
Photo Credit – Ground Up Coffee Bar
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
