Sovereign Coffee grew into a multimillion-dollar business. Now, more is brewing

Local cafe chain Sovereign Coffee continues its expansion in the Rio Grande Valley, bringing its signature bar-style service to two new cities and adding a bakery and roastery to its growing list of spaces.

McAllen and Weslaco are each getting a Sovereign Coffee this year, becoming the fourth and fifth locations to offer what Owner Kenneth Atkinson describes as “an elevated coffee shop experience.”

“We do a lot of the same things that other coffee shops do so you might say, ‘Well, how do you elevate that?’ And that could be through our beverages, which are only using natural ingredients with really complex and really saturated flavors. But also the hospitality is very interesting,” the owner said. “It’s sort of like a cocktail bar where you order at the bar, pay at the end and just rack up a tab if you want. Or if you want to take it to-go, you’re more than welcome to as well…We aim to make it feel less transactional.”  

Atkinson said he plans to open the McAllen shop at 1113 W. Upas Ave. sometime in August or September but hasn’t settled on a date yet.