Over the past few days, discerning patrons at Hyperion Espresso might have noticed a handful of white sticky notes adhered to the golden repositories that store coffee beans behind the bar.
The temporary labels, with titles like “Route 39” and bulleted flavor notes, are the work of Jack Scholl. Scholl, the managing partner of Roadmap Coffeeworks in Lexington, Va., and a 2011 University of Mary Washington graduate, purchased the iconic downtown business from founders Dan Peterson and Ana Brugos in July.
Hyperion closed — somewhat cryptically — at noon on Thursday. When the shop at the corner of William and Princess Anne Streets reopened under Scholl’s ownership on Friday at 7 a.m., you’d have been hard-pressed to notice a difference.
The sense of continuity was purposeful, Scholl said.
“Fundamentally, I’m not looking to change everybody’s favorite coffee shop,” he said. “Not at all.”
Scholl grew up in Rockbridge County in the southwestern part of the state, its crisp mountain air tempered by the heady aroma of coffee beans his dad roasted in the back of their Lexington-based shop. His mother worked the bar up front.
“Literally a true mom-and-pop operation,” he said.
Scholl rejoined the family business three years ago, and he never forgot the similar role Hyperion held within the downtown business community.
A glimpse at some of the new roasts to be sold at Hyperion. Blended drink enthusiasts need not fear: your Monkeylicious isn’t going anywhere. (Photo by Joey LoMonaco)
“To me, it’s sort of a Fredericksburg institution,” said Scholl, who compared Hyperion to Bodo’s Bagels in Charlottesville.
So, when he heard that Peterson and Brugos were looking to sell the business they’ve owned and operated since 1994, he was immediately attracted to Hyperion as a growth opportunity for his brand.
“Coffee-wise to me, it was a no-brainer,” he said.
Multiple calls to Peterson seeking comment on the ownership change were not returned as of publication.
Scholl urged a bit of patience in the coming weeks as he and his staff deal with the inevitable “growing pains” of an ownership change.
As she tamped and pulled shots during a recent visit, one longtime barista offered a cautiously optimistic early take.
“People were nervous,” she admitted of the transition, “but we got to try the coffee. It’s really good.”
Among the most conspicuous under-the-hood changes, said Scholl, is the impending arrival of some “shiny new equipment behind the bar” related to the coffee brewing process. Any of the roasts sold at Roadmap’s Lexington location or online will be available for purchase at Hyperion.
“You’re going to see a little more diversity in coffee options,” he said. “You’re going to see more emphasis on the beans itself.”
So, yes, it’s the dawning of a new era for the coffee shop that shares its name with the Greek Titan/sun god.
But it’s still Hyperion Espresso.
“You’re going to pop in, and you’re going to get your Monkeylicious, and you’re also going to walk away with a bag of natural Ethiopian coffee to take home for later,” he said. “And it’s going to absolutely blow your mind.”
