North Central Austin Edition | August 2023

BUSINESS FEATURE Sorrento's Coee Local coee spot brews community connections W hitley and Spencer Alex- ander always knew they wanted to own a small

BY KATY MCAFEE

Whitley said. “You’re helping make somebody’s day better, and that’s what we want to teach our kids.” The couple is committed to their customers—opening even during Win- ter Storm Mara so patrons struggling with power outages could get a warm cup of coee. “There was a line out to Anderson Lane,” Whitley said. “We were one of the only [businesses] with power.” Sorrento’s oers all the coee shop classics, including espresso drinks, cold brew and matcha as well as a wide selection of Italian sodas and over 40 syrup avors. The shop also supports other

local business. But when the oppor- tunity came to take over Sorrento’s Coee—a roughly 300-square-foot drive-through coee shop in North Austin—they were caught by surprise. Then-owners Mary Jane Burson and Mike Polston ran Sorrento’s for 10 years when they suddenly asked the Alexanders—whom they knew through friends of friends—if they could step in last spring. “[It was like] on April 1 Mary Jane asked if we could take over May 1,” Spencer said. The Alexanders were already lead- their fourth baby into the family a few months prior to Burson’s oer, and both Spencer and Whitley have full-time jobs outside Sorrento’s. Still, the pair said yes. In their rst year of ownership, the Alexanders have made an eort to create a community at Sorrento’s. Whitley said she memorized most of the regulars’ orders, and she even knows her kids’ teachers’ orders. “We like working together as a couple,” Whitley said, adding that their kids help by carrying sleeves of cups and organizing while learning about quality customer service. “Coee feels like good clean fun,” ing busy lives. The couple had just welcomed

Sorrento's operates in a roughly 300-square-foot building for drive-thru and walk-up customers on Anderson Lane.

PHOTOS BY KATY MCAFEE

SORRENTO’S TOP THREE

Caramel Macchiato The drink starts with vanilla, milk and ice before being topped with two shots of espresso and caramel drizzle.

Bahama Mama The "barista's choice" drink is made with coconut, pineapple and mango juice, Red Bull, and topped with cream.

Iced Chai Sorrento's chai is made from an original recipe adapted by the previous owners.

“COFFEE FEELS LIKE GOOD CLEAN FUN. YOU’RE HELPING MAKE SOMEBODY’S DAY BETTER, AND THAT’S WHAT WE WANT TO TEACH OUR KIDS.” WHITLEY ALEXANDER, SORRENTO’S COFFEE COOWNER

local businesses, oering pastries from Russell’s Bakery, tacos from Taco Deli, and sourcing their coee beans from local roaster Ruta Maya. While Whitley

and Spencer are still learning the ropes of business ownership, the couple has ambitious plans for the future. The pair recently began oering Sorrento’s chai wholesale; and bags of Mary Jane’s original recipe will make their debut at The Junior League’s “2023 A Christmas Aair” event in November. While the family doesn't know what the future holds, if the opportu- nity for a second location presented itself, they wouldn't say no.

Sorrento’s oers its chai recipe wholesale and items from Russell’s Bakery.

Spencer and Whitney Alexander have owned Sorrento’s since spring 2022.

Sorrento's Coee 3021 W. Anderson Ln., Austin 512-419-9330

MOPAC

www.sorrentoscoeedrivethru.com Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

SHOAL CREEK BLVD.

NORTH CENTRAL AUSTIN EDITION • AUGUST 2023