Anita Craig didn’t start Trvl Love Koffee out of a burning desire to be an entrepreneur. She’d been there, done that, had that T-shirt — literally. She once owned a T-shirt company, as well as a public relations and marketing agency, so she thought she’d already scratched that itch. “I just wanted to be a regular person,” Anita says. “I just wanted to go to a job, clock in, get a check, and go home.”
Then COVID happened. She lost three jobs during the pandemic and knew it was time to give entrepreneurship another try. Thanks to encouragement and support from her partner, Chauncey Moore, Trvl Love Koffee was born. Now she’s offering ethically and sustainably sourced coffee to Birmingham — all the way from Africa, South and Central America, and Asia.
What started as an occasional pop-up shop at local events like Woodlawn Street Market is now a full-fledged coffee shop in the Woodlawn Marketplace. Meet Anita Craig of Trvl Love Koffee!
Meet our newest FACE of Birmingham, Anita Craig of Trvl Love Koffee.
What makes your coffee spot stand out among other options in Birmingham?
My partner and I and what we believe in — that’s what makes it different. What we pour into it, the dedication we give, and the experience we want to give make it different.
It’s not about just drinking a cup of coffee when you purchase a bag of our beans. Each bag tells a story. Each bag is named after something from that country and region because we want you to Google it. We want you to be interested and intrigued.
What can guests expect from a visit to TRVL Love?
True Southern hospitality! I tell people I’m a true Southern girl all the way through. I was born in Mississippi and raised in Alabama. I’ve lived in Georgia, Arkansas, and Tennessee. It’s about understanding that, without our guests, we are nothing. We’re making it inviting so you feel like you’re a part of it.
Trvl Love Koffee began as an occasional pop-up shop at local street markets, but it is now a cornerstone at the Woodlawn Marketplace. Owner Anita Craig is pictured outside her shop with Alabama State Representative Neil Rafferty.
Travel is obviously a huge source of inspiration for you! Where are some of your favorite places to visit?
Jamaica is really fun and just a different experience.
People will say, “I want to get out of the country and see the world,” and that’s great. But I really think there are a lot of dope places in America. Anywhere there’s a beach, I want to go. I really like Santa Monica (California). I’ve been to Portland, and it was super dope. Texas is one of my favorite places. You can go to Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, or Austin; they’re completely different experiences.
On my to-do list is Rwanda. Hopefully, [I’ll get there] in 2025. I’m excited about that.
Just travel! Go see places and create experiences — regardless of whether or not it’s overseas, in the Caribbean, Mexico, or America.
Every time we go to a different city, we do a coffee crawl. I always tell people, “When you travel somewhere, if you have time, visit different coffee shops. You’ll get to the heart of that community.”
Anita Craig’s partner Chauncey Moore encouraged her to start Trvl Love Koffee and helps her run the company.
What do you like to do in Birmingham when you’re not working?
My son and I go to the McWane Center.
One of my favorite places is the Birmingham Botanical Gardens; my son loves it. Going and hanging out there and catching lunch at Kathy G’s — that’s one of the things we enjoy.
What are some other favorite local restaurants?
The Electric in Hoover. We definitely enjoy Rodney Scott’s. They pretty much get my money all the time! They know me.
Anita believes one of the best ways to get to know a city is to visit its coffee shops. “You’ll get to the heart of that community,” she says.
What are your favorite local places to shop?
I’m a really big thrift store person, and d’Trespa in Woodlawn is a great consignment shop.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
I think the best advice I have been given is to take up space in life and industry. Be okay with who you are and take up space even if that space is not built for you or you don’t really see yourself in it.
Coffee comes from Black and Brown areas. But the higher and higher you go up the supply chain, the less you’ll see people who look like me. There’s only one nationally distributed Black-owned coffee company. And that’s a Black & Bold. It’s owned by two men, so not even a Black woman.
I think having that conversation — about taking up space in life and the industry — gave me a different level of confidence. I took up space in life. I’m Black, and I’m proud. So, I have never had an issue with that. But before that conversation, I had a lot of self-doubt about what I was doing. Am I supposed to be here?
It’s not easy to knock down doors, and it’s a very expensive industry. You’ve got to have people who believe in you, trust you, and like your product.
So that was the best advice that I was given — to take up space and know that you’re supposed to be where you are; it’s not by chance.
What’s the best advice you have to offer?
I always tell people, “Watch cartoons, drink water, and don’t let anybody cross your boundaries. Stand up for yourself at all times. It will keep you looking young. And do things that scare you! This definitely scares me. And go to the beach a lot. Get as much sand in between your toes as you can get.”
Name three things you can’t live without.
Scooby-Doo cartoons, a good Sunday brunch spot, and pizza.
Trvl Koffee is located inside The Woodlawn Marketplace, 5530 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35212. It is open Wednesday through Saturday, from 7 am to 3 p.m., and Sunday, 8 am to 1 p.m.
All photography courtesy of Anita Craig.
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