A coffee shop built on grandmotherly memories opens in Chamblee

Photo by Kristin Karch

At Stellow, coffee is rooted in memory. Owner Clinton Perry built the Chamblee espresso bar to recreate the feeling of being a kid in his grandmothers’ homes—spaces that felt soft, welcoming, and personal. The newly opened coffee shop draws from those memories, honoring both women with a design, menu, and ethos rooted in nostalgia and care. Even the name Stellow pays homage to them; “stell” for Mema’s middle name and “ow” for GrandBetty’s favorite color (yellow).

Perry, the youngest of seven, spent much of his childhood with his grandmothers. Their presence is both literal and symbolic throughout Stellow’s 1,900-square-foot space. Black-and-white photos line the walls, while furniture and curtains echo pieces from their homes. Even the bathrooms nod to each woman’s style—one warm and midcentury-inspired, the other softer and more traditional. The goal, Perry says, was to make people feel the way he did back then: comfortable and welcome.

“You go to your grandmother’s to relax,” he says.

Photo by Kristin Karch

That same sense of ease carries behind the coffee bar. Rather than overwhelming guests, Stellow leans into a tight menu of espresso-driven drinks (cappuccino, cortado, Americano, latte) made with Bellwood Coffee beans and served in traditional Italian sizes. The specialties, however, are personal. Betty’s Fresca Soda nods to the only soda Perry was allowed to drink growing up, combining espresso with house-made blood orange syrup, while Sammie’s Sunrise layers cinnamon, brown sugar, and orange peel in tribute to morning rituals with his grandmother. A banana coconut latte rounds out the trio. For non-coffee drinkers, there’s both green and blue matcha, tea, hot chocolate, and a non-caffeinated Lil-ccino for kids.

Pastries come from Shellane Brown of Apple-Butter Bakery in Fayetteville, whose lineup includes gluten-free sweet potato coffee cake, almond croissants, quiche, and breakfast sandwiches.

“I think people want simplicity,” Perry says. “You can get overwhelmed going to a coffee shop. It can be intimidating.”

Photo by Kristin Karch

He aims to counteract that with friendly service and a warm, yet elevated atmosphere. Emma Flynn of Commoner Design Co. shaped the space with a cocktail bar–style counter at the center, while white floors help brighten the room. The shop seats about 70 guests across its dining room and patio, and it’s already drawing crowds, with waits stretching up to 45 minutes on weekends.

Before opening a brick-and-mortar, Perry built his business around using espresso carts for private events. He now owns eight carts and plans to eventually expand into florals and classes in the shop.

“I took everything I love and dumped it into a coffee shop,” Perry says. “People love to be a part of something beautiful.”

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