The San-Antonio based Merit Coffee Co. is making its Houston debut next month, with plans to open two additional cafes by the end of the year.
The first location will open in the West University neighborhood of Houston at 5115 Buffalo Speedway, marking Merit’s first Houston location since its 2009 founding. Merit Coffee CEO Bill Ellis said the Houston expansion is a move the company has dreamed about for years.
“Houston has one of the most exciting food and beverage cultures anywhere in the country,” Ellis said. “We’ve been intentional about finding the right neighborhoods, partners, and opportunities to establish roots here. Opening our first café in West University is just the beginning.”
This summer opening will be followed by two additional Houston cafes opening this winter — one at the Swift Building in The Heights and another at Greenside in Memorial City. Those locations are being developed by Houston’s Radom Capitol.
Merit is kicking off the Houston takeover with a partnership with local bakery Cake & Bacon. A curation of its handcrafted pastries and savory bites will be available to be paired with Mert’s specialty coffee at its new locations.
“Whenever we enter a new community, we look for partners who share our commitment to quality and hospitality,” Ellis said. “Cake & Bacon embodies everything we love about Houston’s culinary scene, and we’re excited to showcase their incredible work in our cafés.”
The San Antonio coffee roaster has carved a distinction in its community-driven cafes and coffee program, currently operating 14 locations in San Antonio, Austin and Dallas.
While the coffee shop will be new to Houston, the taste of its brew may be familiar. That’s because its freshly-roasted Texas beans have been available at H-E-B, Whole Foods Market and Central Market across Texas.
