The Optimist Raleigh: Your cozy remote work hub and local gem
Nestled between the charming neighborhoods of Oakwood and Mordecai in Raleigh, North Carolina, The Optimist coffee shop stands out not only as a cozy spot to enjoy your daily caffeine fix but also as the perfect remote workspace.
A Raleigh love story
The story behind The Optimist Raleigh is all about pursuing passions, rolling with the punches and making dreams a reality. Back in 2013, owners Andrew Ward and Robyn Buchholz, along with their young son, landed in Raleigh and fell head over heels for the city. As they added a daughter and two more boys to their family, their love for Raleigh deepened, making it their true home.
For Ward and Buchholz, the idea of running a coffee shop had been cooking since they first crossed paths in 2006. When the chance to turn that dream into a reality came up, they jumped in without hesitation, even though the world was grappling with the curveballs thrown by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I was getting a tattoo next door, and he just happened to tell us about this place and, you know, contacted the owner and had a discussion with him about what I thought it should be. And he took a huge, huge gamble on us. We didn't come from money. We didn't come from anything, really. So he took a massive gamble on us, and, yeah, we just made it work," Ward said.
Local partnerships
The Optimist Coffee Shop isn't just your regular café; it's a hub of community love and collaboration. Andrew and Robyn have teamed up with some of Raleigh's most beloved local businesses, including Black & White Coffee Roasters, Blue Ox Bakery, Michael's English Muffins, Tribucha, Arteo, Darlin Designs Cookies, Barrett's Cookies, Button Down Brewing Company and Trophy Brewing Co. These partnerships show the strong bonds The Optimist has built with the local community, bringing together the best of Raleigh's offerings under one roof.
Your coolest remote work den
Step into The Optimist, and you're stepping into your second living room. Ward and Buchholz have created an atmosphere that's super welcoming for remote workers. They know how important remote work is these days, and as Ward puts it, "Wifi was probably one of the most important things to us because we knew, like with the pandemic happening, it's going to be important for people to find a place to work. So we definitely have wifi. We've got as many amenities for working as possible."
With strong Wi-Fi and all the remote work essentials, The Optimist is where you can kick back with your laptop and be productive. Whether you're freelancing, nomading, studying or just need a break from the home office, The Optimist offers a comfy and inspiring remote work setup.
Where everyone's a part of the family
Ward said, "We really love and appreciate Raleigh. I mean, it's kind of, you know, we're not from here, but Raleigh has really adopted us." The Optimist Coffee Shop embodies the sense of belonging and warmth that Raleigh extends to newcomers and locals alike.
In a nutshell, if you're in Raleigh and hunting for a rad coffee shop to work remotely, while savoring top-notch coffee, delectable pastries and a friendly atmosphere, make a beeline for The Optimist Raleigh. It's more than a coffee spot; it's your go-to remote work hideout and your neighborhood hangout, where optimism is just as abundant as the coffee and everyone's treated like family.
The Optimist is open 7AM-PM Monday-Saturday and 8AM-6PM on Sunday.
