Friendly faces laughed and conversed while sipping their brews. Over the threshold, coffee enthusiasts asked questions, ate goodies and smiled as new customers walked in.

Welcome to Sutherland Avenue’s latest addition: Blue Mason Coffeehouse, a place centered around friendship and socialization.

The newly renovated space rests beside River Sports Outfitters, ready for community gathering. Cool blue walls and homemade decorations, including blue mason jars, complete the inside and create the Blue Mason Coffeehouse look.

“We want people to walk in and feel like they are home,” co-owner Margo Ingram said.

The community coffeehouse is fulfilling the dream she always had of opening a bakery since inheriting her many blue mason jars at the age of 10. After falling in love with coffee and finding a religious meaning for her life, she knew she wanted a coffeehouse and bakery that had a mission center, and, most importantly, one that gave back to the community.

After meeting co-owners Calvin Dillinger and Josh Steadley, Ingram knew she had found the team that would bring her dream to life.

They began shaping their process of free trade along with empowering local and global businesses, the core of Blue Mason Coffeehouse. Their roasters communicate directly with farmers, and the people supplying coffee beans from small villages as far away as Ethiopia are paid directly for their work in goods that are valuable to them. Ingram and her partners cut out the middle man in order to make sure their suppliers are appreciated.

On top of that, they have more plans to give back. Blue Mason Coffeehouse looks forward to hosting different bands and events, proceeds going to local charities.

“We would rather not have a business than not give back,” Ingram said.

The coffeehouse is also proud to share their extensive menu with their guests.

Grace Williams, psychology major at King University, recommended the dirty chai latte, a tea and espresso mix packed with flavor and plenty of caffeine.

Williams explained how the menu at Blue Mason Coffeehouse is supporting local and global businesses. They use Cruze Farm for all their milk needs and have local baker Abigail Jones handle all of the treats.

“There is a lot of emphasis internationally as well as locally, so you’re getting quality everything,” Williams said.

The menu changes a little every week, but it currently includes granola bars, scones and biscuits paired with a cinnamon honey butter that is already generating buzz.

Once it can take a breath from the initial craze of opening a business, the Blue Mason crew hopes to add soups, salads and sandwiches to the selection.

“The owners have invested in creating a team and not just a business,” Williams said, “and now the process is matching with the vision.”

A couple that stumbled upon the coffeehouse enjoyed a granola bar and a cup of coffee and were eager to share their enthusiasm for the coffeehouse.

“We come to look for coffee shops and are interested in nice ones,” Paul Leiby, a self-proclaimed coffee enthusiast, said. “We are happy to say that this is one of the nicest ones around.”

Located in an area that has not always been thought of as a place to hangout, the Blue Mason family is looking to transform the culture of Knoxville and add to the growing businesses that make the city so culturally diverse.

“It all started with a dream to empower local and global communities along with our love for great coffee and baked goods,” the Blue Mason family said.

“This dream became Blue Mason Coffeehouse.”