From Hometown Roots to Neighborhood Sanctuary
Meet Sam and Chelsey, the visionaries behind Saturn Road—a coffee shop by day and wine bar by night—now a beloved community gathering place in Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill neighborhood. Their inspiration springs from their Texas heritage: Saturn Road is named after the main street in their hometown of Garland, Texas, where their roots run deep.
With a shared love for warm, inviting “third spaces” where people can feel at home, the duo took a leap of faith—transforming a local storefront into a dynamic space for connection, creativity, and community.
We sat down with Sam and Chelsey to learn more about the story behind Saturn Road, how the community continues to shape their journey, and what advice they’d give other aspiring business owners. Read more below!
What was the moment that inspired you and Sam to create Saturn Road?
Sam and I have always loved those rare “third spaces” where you feel instantly at home—welcomed, seen, and part of something bigger than yourself. We were at a moment in our lives where it just felt like the right time to take a leap. We realized there wasn’t quite a place in Cobble Hill that blended the energy of a neighborhood coffee shop with the intimacy of a bar. We live in and adore this area so much, we leapt at the opportunity to breathe new life into a local spot that was available.
What’s a surprising lesson you’ve learned as your business evolved—perhaps something you didn’t expect when launching?
The most surprising lesson has been how much the community shapes the space. We opened with a vision, but the way neighbors have made Saturn Road their own has shifted our programming, our menu, and even our layout. Listening closely and adapting has been far more powerful than trying to hold too tightly to our original plans.
Looking ahead, how would you like Saturn Road to grow or evolve over the next few years?
We’d love to deepen Saturn Road’s role as both a neighborhood staple and a creative community hub. That could look like new collaborations with local artists and winemakers, expanded programming, and—down the line—maybe even a second location where we could roast our own beans and host slightly larger events. The dream is to grow in a way that feels organic and sustainable, never losing the intimacy and warmth that make Saturn Road what it is.
You’ve built Saturn Road to be more than just a coffee shop—what kind of experience do you hope people walk away with?
We hope people leave feeling lighter than when they walked in—like they were truly welcomed, taken care of, and part of something communal. Whether it’s a quick morning coffee or a lingering evening glass of wine, the goal is that Saturn Road feels like a space that’s always familiar, but brand new every time our neighbors walk through the door.
As a business owner in New York, what has surprised you most about the local community?
We’ve been stunned by how supportive the neighborhood has been from day one. People here really want local businesses to succeed—they go out of their way to bring friends in, attend events, and share kind words. The response we’ve received throughout this first year of business has reminded us how much New Yorkers value spaces that are personal and intentional. It’s a constant source of joy to see Saturn Road become part of people’s regular routines.
What advice would you give someone considering starting their own business?
Don’t wait until everything is perfect—it never will be. Start with a clear vision and a sustainable plan, but be ready to stay nimble, stay flexible, and trust your gut as you go. You may not wind up exactly where you thought you would, but staying true to your overall mission in every decision will resonate with both your team and your customers.
Build a business you’d want to spend time in yourself, and surround yourself with a team that shares your values and work ethic. And most importantly: hospitality isn’t just for customers—treat your staff and collaborators with the same warmth, and everything else flows from there.
Thanks for reading! Trail CPA is proud to champion entrepreneurs like Sam & Chelsey—visionaries who bring heart, hospitality, and purpose to everything they do.
If you live in New York, or have plans to travel there, please consider visiting Saturn Road, located in the Cobble Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn. Otherwise, check them out on Instagram.