En Route to Camino
Meet Amber Chase, a Camino Bakery employee turned co-owner, lovely human, and humble yet knowledgeable coffee and breadmaking connoisseur! (Photo by Madalyn Yates Photography)
The Mountains to Sea Coffee Crawl ft. Camino Bakery
When I asked who owned Camino Bakery, I didn’t get one answer I got four. If two’s company, and three’s a crowd, then these four — Cary, Amber, Jordan, and Lisa — are a community of co-owners who value the people in their shops and neighborhoods above all else.
Camino is possibly the most well-known coffee shop in the Triad, and it has its 10-year tenure, quality, and friendly atmosphere to thank. Because it’s such a well-known shop, I wasn’t sure what to expect when visiting the Brookstown location with Madalyn Yates Photography to speak with Amber. Here’s the thing — we were met by a down-to-earth, lovely human who seems as humble as she is knowledgeable about the art of coffee, bread, wine, and more!
The thing I keep coming back to about this community-centric shop is its heart for people. It’s not enough to have incredible coffee. It’s about building a team of artisans who care.
With locations nestled in Winston’s downtown, Brookstown, the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, and Wake Forest University, the baristas, bakers, and chefs here get to share stories with neighbors, students, and family members with loved ones in the hospital. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill food service providers. They’re 100% local types.
Camino Bakery (Brookstown) Quick Facts:
Coffee Roaster: Counter Culture Coffee
Most popular drink: French Toast Latte
Go-to home brewing method: Chai tea or French pressed coffee
Non-coffee options: French-style pastries, bread, wine, etc.
Normal hours of operation: Daily 8 AM – 2 PM
Address (for easy access): 300 Marshall St SW, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Distance from I-40: 2.5 miles/6 minutes
Appeals to: Coffee aficionados + the everyday coffee drinker
(Photo by Madalyn Yates Photography)
Without further ado, let’s jump into a little Q&A with co-owner Cary Clifford to see what she has to say about being a small business/coffee shop owner:
Q: Have you always dreamed of owning a coffee shop? What's the origin story of your shop?
A: Our shop is inspired by my trek down the Camino de Santiago in Spain. This trail is a journey of self-discovery, contemplation, and openness. Along the way, people from across the globe travel the same road and strangers share meals, laughs, and memories together.
I wanted to bring that same effortless and open community to my hometown of Winston-Salem. We're incredibly lucky to have a community of people hop right into that journey alongside us as staff, customers, and ultimately: family.
Q: What makes your coffee shop different from others in NC?
A: First, our shop is special because of the people inside of it. Our team is dedicated to spreading love and passion for slow food and slow drink. We aim to be a space where life happens, and memories are made.
We make everything by hand: from hours dedicated to the perfect croissant and sourdough to making our own syrups for our lattes in-house. We have incredibly talented baristas and chefs who take great pride in their work and pour themselves into everything that flows out of us.
We specialize in French croissants, pain au chocolat, Danishes, bagels, quiche, cheesecake, and so much more to enjoy alongside coffee. We also offer a selection of teas and often time feature seasonal drinks that are tea-based. We also have our own method of brewing Nitro coffee that you cannot find at any other shop!
Our most popular pastry would have to be our fresh fruit Danish, and Southern sourdough has become our most popular bread.
Q: Can you tell me about your shop's atmosphere? When new guests walk in, how do you want them to feel?
A: At our 4th Street location, we have a warm, rustic atmosphere with handmade tables and cozy light. Our Brookstown location is light and airy with plenty of windows. Our hospital location manages to create a cozy oasis even inside a multi-story building.
Q: Would you be willing to share your hopes for the shop in the future?
A: We hope to continually find ways to serve our community, enrich our roots, and give back. We also hope to consistently innovate our drinks and pastries and create partnerships with others in our community to inspire growth in unexpected ways.
(Photo by Madalyn Yates Photography)
About the Mountains to Sea Coffee Crawl
Like the Mountains to Sea Trail, the Mountains to Sea Coffee Crawl will span from the mountains of North Carolina to the sandy beaches of our Tar Heel state. Following the 1-40 corridor, Local Type copywriter Sarah Stricker and brand photographer Madalyn Yates explore the Carolina coffee scene while meeting up with passionate small businesses owners along the way.
Special thanks to Madalyn Yates for choosing to hop in a car and drive the length of North Carolina with me!
If you’re a small business owner who would like to contact Madalyn Yates Photography, you can find her information below.
Madalyn Yates Photography | madalynyatesphotography.com | IG: @madalynyatesphoto
“Talking with one of the owners of Camino Bakery is a bit like talking to a local celebrity... EEP!”
