Blackbird Coffee celebrates 20 years of freshly roasted brews

Published 3:45 pm Monday, January 6, 2025

Blackbird Coffee owners Jimmy and Iona Holder have traveled the states and abroad. They share a mutual love of the arts. But for the past 25 years, they have made the city of Milledgeville their home.

In 2004, Blackbird Coffee opened its doors at 114 W. Hancock St. in downtown Milledgeville. 

Jimmy and Iona’s goal with the coffee shop has always been to introduce middle Georgia to fresh roasted, premium coffees from around the world. Blackbird Coffee is committed to single origin roasts, which means the business does not blend a lesser coffee bean with their premiere beans. This is one of several things that allow them to stand out from their competitors. 

“The biggest thing that sets us apart is that we roast our coffee in-house. We are a coffee roaster cafe. The coffees we offer were roasted just hours or days ago. All of our coffees were roasted within seven days. They weren’t roasted, packaged, warehoused then shipped from somewhere else,” Jimmy said. “Coffee is a fruit, it is produce. It must be at its freshest to enjoy it at its best.”

Blackbird Coffee features quite the selection, including in-house fresh roasted coffee available in espresso-based drinks, brewed coffees, iced coffees and cold brews. Blackbird Coffee also offers freshly baked pastries, breakfast sandwiches, ice cream, smoothies, beer and wine. 

Through a partnership with Grey Fox Pottery, Blackbird also carries handmade mugs available both in store and online at blackbirdcoffee.com. 

Blackbird Coffee celebrated its 20th anniversary in December by offering specials on the week of its original opening. The celebrations will continue this year with special music performances, play productions and more. 

Jimmy and Iona strive to offer excellent coffees, fresh baked goods, and several coffee alternatives within a friendly environment. They care a great deal about their customers and employees and genuinely enjoy providing a space designed to inspire and support a variety of artists. 

Additionally, Blackbird Coffee is not just a coffee shop. Within its walls is a performance space known as the Birdhouse Theatre (more information available at Birdhousetheatre.com). Said theatre has hosted some productions written and produced by Jimmy and Iona. Outside of theater, they have also dabbled in the film industry and their short film, “Spare,” is currently available to watch online at https://enjoyspare.com/. 

The couple are also active in the Milledgeville community, helpling organize with the Deep Roots festival since its inception. 

Through everything they have accomplished, their greatest pride in life comes from their five children: Morgan, Emma, Whit, Elizabeth and Katie.

When it comes to running Blackbird Coffee, Jimmy and Iona consider the customers the best part of the job. 

“Since 2004, we have been blessed with loyal customers who have become our friends and family.”

Blackbird Coffee is open Sundays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

For more information, visit https://www.blackbirdcoffee.com/ and find Blackbird Coffee on Facebook and Instagram.