Three Ships Coffee

Three Ships Coffee was established in 2013 by Amy and Brad Ewing, who began their journey by roasting coffee in their garage in the Shadowlawn neighborhood of Virginia Beach. The founders brought diverse professional backgrounds to the venture—Amy as a wine sommelier and Brad as a software developer—which heavily influenced their approach to the craft. Inspired by a trip to California and exposure to the meticulous, slow-coffee methods practiced at roasters like Four Barrel Coffee, the Ewings sought to treat coffee with the same reverence and analytical detail typically reserved for fine wine.

The company’s early growth was rooted in local engagement, specifically through the Old Beach Farmers Market, where they served coffee from a 1973 Coachman trailer. This grassroots presence allowed them to build a loyal following before opening their first brick-and-mortar café in 2016 within the ViBe Creative District of Virginia Beach. Over the following decade, the operation expanded to include multiple locations across Virginia Beach and Norfolk, evolving into a multi-faceted business that integrates roasting, retail, and a food program featuring house-made pastries.

At the core of Three Ships Coffee is a roasting philosophy that prioritizes the natural beauty and complexity of the bean. The team draws significant inspiration from the light-to-medium roast profiles common in Scandinavian and Pacific Northwest coffee cultures. By roasting in small batches on a weekly schedule, the company aims to produce clean, balanced cups that reflect the specific terroir and processing methods employed by their producers at origin.

Sourcing is a central pillar of their operations, with the company actively seeking partnerships with producers and importers who share their commitment to quality and transparency. The roastery emphasizes the importance of the entire supply chain, from the farmer to the final cup, ensuring that the unique story of each origin is communicated to the consumer. This dedication to craft was recognized on a global scale in 2025, when their 'Shiptown Tidewater Espresso' received an Honorable Mention in the Global Coffee Awards.

In practice, the company maintains a high level of operational transparency, including hand-dating every bag of coffee to ensure freshness. Their production process is intentionally paced, with roasting typically occurring on Tuesdays to manage quality control for their wholesale and retail channels. This methodical approach is designed to maintain the integrity of the green coffee, which they select for its distinct flavor profiles and high-quality processing.

Today, Three Ships Coffee stands as a fixture of the Virginia coffee scene, balancing its identity as a production roastery with its role as a community hub. The company continues to operate with a small team of roasters and bakers, maintaining the same focus on connection and quality that characterized their early days in the garage. Their trajectory from a local farmers market stall to an award-winning roastery reflects a decade-long commitment to refining their craft and fostering a culture of specialty coffee appreciation in their home region.