Coffee shops — the perfect places to sip artisan lattes, enjoy an assortment of baked goods and decompress in a cozy ambiance. Lorraine Jordan wanted to emulate the same welcoming atmosphere in her business, but added a twist by intertwining the elements of bluegrass and country music into her coffee shop.

North Carolina native Lorraine Jordan is a prominent singer and mandolin player with her band, Carolina Road, and has performed for over 20 years at bluegrass and country music festivals across the nation.In 2014, Jordan contrived a business model that would allow patrons to enjoy the typical atmosphere and amenities of a coffee shop while getting to experience live bluegrass and country music performances. 

Jordan saw an old drugstore for sale in Garner as an opportunity to bring her business idea to fruition, and Lorraine’s Coffee House & Music officially opened in 2014. 

Mickey Stroud, the creative consultant for Lorraine’s, said the coffee house would serve as a homebase for Jordan, who frequently tours the country with Carolina Road. 

“She got tired of traveling all the time and wanted to have a place where she could play at home,” Stroud said. 

Stroud jokingly remarked that Jordan doesn’t drink coffee herself, but that her idea behind a cafe with live entertainment was to create a welcoming atmosphere centered around respecting the music. Some of the first performances at Lorraine’s included an appearance from country music star Marlon “Marty” Raybon and a show with the Malpass Brothers, a traditional country music duo from Goldsboro. 

To further their sphere of influence, Lorraine’s introduced its three-camera setup in 2020 to stream the live performances for all to enjoy. Lorraine’s Video JukeBox showcases over 1,000 recordings of the coffee house’s shows, allowing listeners to experience authentic bluegrass and country music performances for free. 

Jordan is dedicated to preserving the bluegrass and country music scene and does so by providing the streamed performances online without a required payment. 

“Lorraine has chosen to underwrite the cost herself,” Stroud said. “We don’t try to monetize it or sell it.”

In addition to watching the show’s recordings, bluegrass and country enthusiasts can tune in to Highway 40 Bluegrass, a station hosted by Doug Whitley on “The Bluegrass Jamboree” radio show. The weekly show broadcasts every performance at Lorraine’s, making the music accessible to those who may be unable to attend in-person. 

Whitley said he started Highway 40 Bluegrass after a 40 year hiatus from working as a radio show host and that the station has had great success over the last three years of runtime. 

“It’s a good, fun show that tells you about what’s going on [at Lorraine’s],” Whitley said. 

While bluegrass and country may seem like genres of music enjoyed exclusively within the United States, Highway 40 Bluegrass has amassed a worldwide audience. 

“There’s one guy who watches from Wales all the time … and a regular coming from New Zealand,” Stroud said. 

It’s no surprise that Lorraine’s has gained such popularity when looking at the impressive list of musicians who have played in the coffee shop. Two-time IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year Larry Sparks performed at the coffee house in 2023 with his band, The Lonesome Ramblers and four-time IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year Danny Paisley made an appearance with his band, The Southern Grass, this past month. 

Lorraine’s also showcases many emerging artists such as Carson Peters, a fiddler and singer who has performed several times at the Grand Ole Opry and was a contestant on The Voice in 2021. Garrett Newton, a banjo player and singer from Eastern North Carolina, has played alongside Jordan at the coffee house since his early teens and now has his own Hank Williams tribute band. 

Aside from their impressive line-ups, Lorraine’s features a full coffee and cafe menu with options ranging from specialty mochas to hot sandwiches and Hershey’s ice cream. The casual fare adds to the homey and quaint atmosphere, allowing guests to savor a satisfying meal and the sounds of live music simultaneously. 

A few noteworthy shows coming up on the cafe’s calendar include Lorraine Jordan and Garrett Newton performing together on Nov. 29, The Tennessee Bluegrass Band on Dec. 6 and Lonesome River Band on Feb. 21. 

The coffee house also hosts “Karaoke with Doug” and “Open Mic with Mike” on Thursdays, both of which are free admission and open to musicians of any skill level. Whether you can barely carry a tune or you can sing like Alison Krauss, all are welcome on Jordan’s stage.

In light of the growing appreciation for bluegrass and country music, Stroud said Jordan hopes the coffee house will attract more young music enthusiasts into the audience. Most events have a cover fee of $15 and the coffee house is just a 20 minute drive from NC State’s campus. 

Bluegrass and country music fans of all ages are encouraged to experience both the live performances at Lorraine’s and the welcoming environment cultivated by Jordan and her staff. 

“This is a family atmosphere,” Stroud said. “You come here and you feel very comfortable very quickly.”