Rise Up Coffee Roasters, the Eastern Shore chain known for organic beans and fast drive-thru service, is lining up another Baltimore-area outpost, this time in Gambrills in Anne Arundel County, with an opening targeted for 2027. The planned shop would push the brand farther off the Shore and onto the busy MD-3 corridor, aiming its cafe-and-drive-thru combo squarely at commuters and Waugh Chapel shoppers.
As first reported by the Baltimore Business Journal, the Gambrills location is slated to open in 2027 and is expected to mirror Rise Up’s Severna Park shop, which includes a drive-thru. Today's story highlighted the company’s strategy of pairing neighborhood-style cafes with quick-service options along busy suburban corridors.
Where Rise Up Might Land
Commercial marketing materials for a proposed retail pad at 813 MD-3 in Gambrills, branded as Severn Chapel Crossing, list Rise Up as a prospective co-tenant and describe the space as a build-to-suit endcap at a signalized intersection, according to Showcase. The site is pitched for its visibility to Route 3 traffic and proximity to Waugh Chapel, which makes it a natural lure for early-morning caffeine runs. If the deal is finalized, the shop would sit in the middle of a new retail development marketed to restaurants and service operators.
From Drive-Thru Trailer To Regional Brand
Rise Up started in 2005 as a drive-thru trailer in St. Michaels and has since grown into a regional brand with more than a dozen outlets across Maryland and Delaware, according to Rise Up Coffee. The company leans on organic, fair-trade beans and a quick, community-focused service model that adapts easily to both suburban drive-thrus and sit-down cafes. In recent years, Rise Up has pushed into larger, hang-out-friendly spaces while still keeping its original drive-thru style for high-traffic spots.
Severna Park As The Prototype
The Severna Park shop at 522 Ritchie Highway has become a go-to for locals and features a drive-thru that helped broaden Rise Up’s reach west of the Chesapeake Bay, according to local listings and regional coverage. MapQuest lists the Severna Park address and hours, while What's Up? Media has described it as the chain’s largest location west of the Bay Bridge and the brand’s first drive-thru on that side of the water. That track record makes Gambrills a logical follow-up move as developers carve out new retail pads along MD-3.
What Happens Next
For now, the Gambrills site is still listed as proposed construction, and anything more specific than "2027" will depend on how lease negotiations and the build schedule shake out. Listings on LoopNet show the property as build-to-suit, and either Rise Up or the site’s developer is expected to release design details and a firmer timeline once permitting moves ahead. Local coffee fans and MD-3 commuters may want to keep an eye on planning filings and business announcements over the coming year.
