By Emarie Bailey
Athens, Tennessee welcomes a new restaurant, Drip Kitchen and Coffee.
In 2021, Drip Kitchen and Coffee first opened in Dayton, Tennessee with owners Grant Van Meter and Zack Van Meter, who are brothers, and their business partner Dylan Palermino. Drip Kitchen and Coffee opened, February 12, 2026, as a new local restaurant and hang out spot close to campus. Drip is located at 698 Decatur Pike.
Drip’s parking lot is spacious; however, business has been booming since they first opened. Along with the plentiful parking, there is a drive-thru with minimal wait times.
Leading up to the front door is an open area filled with outdoor furniture, rocking chairs, and a fireplace. Music plays softly from speakers posted on the brick pillars holding up the cover for the outside area. This is a perfect place to spend time with friends or just relax with a nutritious drink or snack from inside.
The inside has a welcoming atmosphere decorated with unique light fixtures and comfortable furniture, making it feel like walking into your own home. The faint smell of coffee roast lingered in the air coupled with the gentle warmth of the lighting, creating a tranquil experience.
Much like the parking lot, the inside is very spacious and able to hold up to 90 people. Returning customers, Katy and Alana, said they first came to Drip Kitchen and Coffee when they were in Dayton. They were attracted to the vast variety of food and drinks.
“Because of the atmosphere and the spacious layout, we come [to the Dayton location] all the time and I’m able to homeschool my daughter,” said Katy.
Alana, who is homeschooled, enjoys coming here to do her schoolwork, believing it as peaceful despite the lively and busy environment.
When ordering from their healthy and organic menu, you will be greeted by the delightful staff who are willing to make your experience the best it can be.
“We really want people to feel very connected whenever they come in, and feel like they were greeted kindly, that they are welcomed here, and that we want them to be here,” said co-owner Grant Van Meter.
Grant Van Meter believes customer appreciation is what sets Drip Kitchen and Coffee apart from other coffee shops in the Athens area.
Drip also serves more than just coffee: organic fruit smoothies, affordable breakfast and lunch choices, and plenty more cleverly named options. The rustic, yet modern, appearance brought a piece of Tennessee into this restaurant, and the kind people as well. It feels like home.
As for Tennessee Wesleyan students, one of the owners expressed gratefully that “we are here for you guys. We want you all to use this space to its utmost extent. That is precisely the reason why we came to Athens, to give you all and whoever it is a space where they feel welcomed and feel like they can hang out for however long they need to.”
“That is a guarantee, anyone who walks through the doors will be treated kindly every time.”
For more information, check out their website.
Interview by Ash Johnson