IN THIS ISSUE · SPRING 2026 — Read the cover story
Four kids. Two full-time jobs. A growing roastery and coffee shop. Community outreach. Ministry.
Hannah and Justin Davis are constantly moving, and Cookeville is better for it.
The owners of Vertical Coffee Company in Cookeville, the Davises see their shop as much more than a coffee business. For them, Vertical Coffee Company is a ministry, a gathering place, and a way to serve the Upper Cumberland community.
Justin, a natural in the coffee and roastery world, and Hannah, who brings a strong background in public relations and marketing, form a dynamic partnership rooted in both faith and purpose. Having worked in ministry for years and even sharing their first date at a coffee shop, the pair feels called to serve together through their vocation.
“Coffee brings people together,” Hannah said. “The opportunity to acquire the shop combined two things we love, coffee and people. It’s a way we can love people well.”
At Vertical Coffee Company, daily interactions fuel more than caffeine habits. They fuel connection. The Davises want customers to feel known, welcomed, and inspired every time they walk through the doors.
“God calls us to excellence in a vertical direction,” Justin explained. “Every day we get the chance to start over. Every day is new, and people can begin again each morning with us.”
“This should be the best part, the best start, of someone’s day,” he added.
Married for twelve years, Hannah and Justin understand each other’s strengths. They speak highly of one another while remaining humble about their own gifts.
“We feed off each other and balance each other,” Hannah said. “Where one of us lacks, the other steps in. It’s best to surround yourself with great people, but it’s especially meaningful when it’s your spouse.”
Both bring healthcare experience to their work. Hannah serves as marketing director at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, while Justin has a background in nursing and behavioral medicine. That shared foundation of care shapes the culture at Vertical Coffee Company.
“A big part of our mission with Vertical is to bless others,” Justin said. “People remember people. We want to create shared experiences and an environment that is centered on community.”
Beyond serving customers, the Davises are committed to creating opportunities for their staff, developing young leaders, and building a ripple effect of encouragement throughout Cookeville and the Upper Cumberland.
Vertical Coffee Company’s reach also extends beyond its storefront. Through wholesale roasting and partnerships with coffee shops across Tennessee and beyond, the Davises continue to expand their impact.
In addition to co-owning Vertical Coffee Company and working full-time at Washington Avenue Baptist Church, Justin is pursuing his nurse practitioner license. His long-term vision includes creating a local cooperative focused on accessible mental health care and counseling services in the Cookeville area.
Hannah leads a passion project of her own. In addition to her role at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, she organizes the annual Mom Talk Conference, now in its eighth year. The event gathers mothers from across the Upper Cumberland for encouragement, scripture, and community.
The Davises describe their mission as vertical in every sense, pointing toward something greater than themselves. Through faith, family, and coffee, they are building more than a brand. They are cultivating community.
“We know we have been given a lot in life,” Hannah said. “And we have a lot to give others.”
— By Molly Brown
Photo by Cris Stroud
Styled by Seth Overton
Visit Vertical Coffee Company at 8 W Spring St, Cookeville, TN 38501, or find them at https://verticalcoffeecompany.com.
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