Otterbein’s beloved Morning Mugs Coffee is expanding with a second location set to open at 1642 Beason St. in Locust Point. The new café will occupy a retail space in a redeveloped area that once housed the A-1 Drive Shaft Company, with Clipper Construction overseeing the transformation.
Growing Success
Tyler DellaRatta, who founded Morning Mugs Coffee in 2021 at 15 W. Hughes St. in Otterbein, is excited to bring his café to a new neighborhood. While the original shop has thrived, DellaRatta aims to broaden the menu with more food offerings at the new location.
“We’re doing great in Otterbein, but this new space gives us an opportunity to explore more on the food front,” DellaRatta explained.
Expanded Food Offerings
The Locust Point location comes with a fully equipped basement bakery, led by pastry chef Lorena Thompson, and a small kitchen. This setup will allow for freshly prepared foods that will be supplied to both locations.
The menu will spotlight DellaRatta’s latest obsession—breakfast burritos. Drawing inspiration from his time in San Diego, the burritos will be made with eggs, cheese, potatoes, and a variety of meats and vegetables, all served with a side of Peruvian green sauce. One of the signature offerings will be a French toast crunch wrap, wrapped in a French toast-inspired tortilla.
In addition to burritos, the café will serve breakfast taquitos, croissants, muffins, cinnamon rolls, and Thompson’s monthly pastry specials. While the focus will initially be on breakfast, DellaRatta hopes to expand into lunch offerings in the near future.
A Coffee Shop with Personality
DellaRatta’s marketing background has shaped the quirky, customer-centric personality of Morning Mugs Coffee. He believes the café’s charm and atmosphere set it apart from competitors. “We don’t just sell coffee; we sell a good time,” he said, noting that the company motto is, “We are brewing smiles.”
Morning Mugs also engages customers with a fun guessing game. Whether they’re taking their coffee to-go or dining in, patrons can guess the color inside their coffee sleeve or mug. A correct guess earns them 10% off their next order, an idea that has quickly become a favorite among regulars.
“It’s such a simple game, but it really makes people smile. It’s a fun way to start their day,” DellaRatta shared.
Introducing Muggsy
The café’s mascot, Muggsy, a bear with a coffee bean nose, is a core part of the brand’s identity. Muggsy’s friendly face is prominently displayed on the facade of the new Locust Point shop and will be a staple throughout the café’s décor.
Award-Winning Coffee
Morning Mugs has been a hit since it opened, earning the title of ‘Best Coffee’ three years running in Baltimore Magazine’s Best of Baltimore Reader’s Poll. The café sources its beans from Kansas City-based Parisi Coffee, with its lattes, iced coffees, and hot brews ranking as top sellers. One fan favorite is the French Toast Latte, which continues to drive business at the original location.
In addition to its extensive coffee menu, Morning Mugs offers a range of other beverages, including chai, matcha, iced tea, lemonade, Arnold Palmers, and hot chocolate.
New Location Opening Soon
Morning Mugs’ new Locust Point location is slated to open on September 21st. The café will operate Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The new space will feature a cozy design, including exposed brick walls, ceiling beams, and a roll-up garage door that provides a seamless indoor-outdoor experience.
The café shares the redeveloped space with Clipper Construction, whose offices are located above the shop. The development also includes private office suites and a drive-in warehouse.
As Morning Mugs expands into a new neighborhood, DellaRatta is hopeful that the charm, quality coffee, and fresh breakfast options will make it just as popular as the original location.