Couple Brings Their Love of Coffee to Canton

Judy Wade and Shaune Huysamen know great coffee leads to great conversations, and they want to keep the talk going. The pair opened Whitetail Coffee Company, a coffee shop at The Mill on Etowah in 2021.

The coffee shop menu offers drip coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, and a variety of seasonal and specialty drinks such as the Whitetail Special, a blend of cinnamon, honey, and vanilla with espresso and steamed milk. The couple decided to open Whitetail Coffee Company after the success of Whitetail Bicycles & Coffee, their local store in the community of Milton, which opened in 2016. The Milton shop sells and services bicycles as well as coffee, and serves as a community hub for road, mountain, and lifestyle bicycle enthusiasts. Shaune and Judy say they are thrilled to bring their love for coffee and community to the city of Canton.

How did you become interested in opening a coffee shop?

We both have a passion for great coffee, and it was already a small part of Whitetail Bicycles. We also thought it would be a great addition to downtown Canton, especially being in such a unique setting like The Mill on Etowah. We felt like there was a void in the market in the sense of all the local mom and pop coffee shops use the same ingredients and offer the same drinks. We really wanted to be in the group of shops that “stood out!”

What brand of coffee do you serve your customers and why?

Intelligentsia Coffee because we find that consistency and next level quality and taste profile is hard to beat. We choose to focus on the craft of making the coffee using top-notch ingredients and leave the roasting process to the big guys who specialize in roasting coffee.

Where do you get your ideas for your specialty drinks and what are some of your favorites?

We travel internationally as well as in the U.S. and make it a point of visiting unique coffee shops in our travels. It’s one of your favorite things to do. We carefully procure the top ingredients that make a drink that leaves you wanting another one. Our favorites change, but our current favorite is our “Black Salted Mocha.”

Why did you choose The Mill on Etowah for your coffee shop?

Actually, our initial visit to The Mill was because we had intentions of opening a second Whitetail Bicycles, but The Mill had another plan for us! They wanted coffee, so we gave them coffee. We fell in love with this idea and couldn’t turn down the great opportunity to be a part of this community. Now fast forward a year and a half and Whitetail Bicycles will be opening at the Mill in the spring of 2023.

What is your favorite family holiday tradition?

We love waking up Christmas morning with coffee of course, opening presents together, followed by a day of staying in our pajamas, good food, Hallmark movies, and being together.

What are some of your favorite foods during the winter?

Shaune isn’t a turkey guy, so Honey Baked Ham, steaks, pecan pie, sweet potato casserole, cheese grits, and twice baked potatoes!

What is the one thing you would like your customers to know about you and your business?

We make every drink with care and attention to detail because we value our customers. We want them to have not just a good cup of coffee, but an experience. We appreciate our regulars that have become friends.

This article was featured in the Historic Canton magazine. Read more.

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