Knightdale’s caffeine scene is about to level up. Unhinged Coffee Co., a mobile cart turned pop-up that has been fueling the Triangle for more than a year, is settling into a permanent spot on First Avenue and is targeting an early April opening. The new café is set to combine all day espresso service with evening pours and a steady lineup of community focused events.
Shop, owners and timetable
Owners Jonny Mocha and Cody Vaughn, teaming up with Chris and Alyssa Craighead on the buildout, are transforming the former Rewind Retro Bar at 319 N. First Ave into a roughly 70 to 80 seat café, according to The News & Observer. The outlet reports that renovations are in the home stretch and that the team is aiming for a soft opening in early April. If that timeline holds, the First Avenue address will finally give Unhinged Coffee Co. a permanent base after a year plus of pop-ups and shifting market schedules.
From cart to café
Unhinged began as a mobile coffee cart, building its following at farmers markets and pop-up events around Knightdale and the broader Triangle. On the company’s website, the brand leans into candid conversation and mental health awareness, stating, “Mental health matters, and we’re here to caffeinate the chaos.” The owners say that locking in a fixed location will make it easier to keep those efforts on a reliable schedule. The brick and mortar shop is being framed as a neighborhood hangout as much as a place to grab a latte.
Menu and local roasters
The café plans to pour lattes, drip coffee and cold brew throughout the day, with baked goods and a small selection of warm dishes on the food side. Evenings will bring a shift to wine, beer and THC drinks, according to The News & Observer. The owners told the paper they are working with Muse Coffee Co. on a signature espresso roast and will source beans for drip and cold brew from Raleigh roaster Left Hook Coffee. Left Hook’s lineup includes rotating drip and cold brew offerings that match the kind of daytime coffee service the new shop is describing.
After hours and community programming
Outside of drink service, the space is slated to host regular wellness and mental health focused events, including workshops, speaker nights and community meetups that grew out of Unhinged’s earlier pop-up programming. Local coverage has noted that Unhinged has already been running more consistent shifts out of Rewind Retro Bar since late 2025, using the space to test hours and evening service. The owners say that a dedicated café will make it easier to lock in recurring events and to work with local organizations on wellness programming.
A soft opening is expected in early April, with specific hours and special events to be announced on the shop’s social media accounts as the buildout wraps up. For now, regulars and curious neighbors can follow updates and the remaining pop-up schedule while the team puts the finishing touches on the First Avenue café.
