Carolina's Finest: Best Coffee - Epilogue

Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews just opened in November 2019, but it has quickly become a Chapel Hill favorite. Epilogue is an independent bookstore and Spanish-style chocolateria that has an environment unlike any other coffee shop nearby, securing a spot in the hearts of students and residents of Chapel Hill. 

The secret behind Epilogue’s tasty coffee is its use of local sourcing and in-house crafted syrups. The coffee shop sources from Carrboro Coffee Roasters, a local vendor, so customers can feel confident they are receiving a fresh product.  To top it off, Epilogue puts in the time and effort to make its syrups in house so it can get the flavor right and deliver a quality cup of coffee to its customers.  

Visiting Epilogue is also about supporting a business with moral practices. Epilogue was drawn to work with Carrboro Coffee Roasters because it helps its farmers grow their farms and pay a proper wage. 

Epilogue is about more than just a cup of coffee. When customers support Epilogue, they support a Latinx-owned  local business that pays a living wage. They’re also supporting other local businesses, from the artists featured in products available in the coffee shop to Epilogue’s vendors. 

Its inclusive environment is what really makes Epilogue the coffee shop it is. The concept of the Epilogue space is inspired by central areas in towns in Mexico and across other countries in Latin America, where people can congregate and be with each other. It was designed with the hopes of providing a similar kind of space for Chapel Hill, a central location accessible to the entire community. 

“This whole space is hopefully a home away from home for students,” said Jaime Sanchez, co-owner of Epilogue. “This is [students’] space to feel safe regardless of your gender or ethnicity. It is a safe space for all as long as we respect each other.” 

This community focus is evident everywhere in Epilogue. While many coffee shops in America have limited seating, Epilogue provides plenty of seating that was once relatively close together, pre-pandemic – and, one day, post-pandemic – to create the feeling of community.  

“Epilogue has the warmest environment,” says Nicole Deblois, a sophomore at UNC-Chapel Hill. “It’s nice to be able to go there and do work, hang out with friends, or shop around for books. The energy of it keeps me coming back.”