Meet Victoria Pace | Good Stuff Coffeehouse Co-Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Victoria Pace and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Victoria, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I had a very different plan for my life when I graduated college with a degree in advertising over a year before opening Good Stuff Coffeehouse. I had experience working for large companies like Chick-fil-A and the Walt Disney Company and my post-grad plans were to work forever in the corporate advertising world. Yet, after college I began to work at my family’s small businesses in our quaint town of Dallas, Georgia. I fell in love with the idea of creating something unique to offer and add value to our community. I’ve always been a supporter of small businesses, especially coffee shops. I had a deep love for coffee and the experience that comes along with it. So, the wheel started turning.
My parents and I realized there was a void in Dallas for a signature coffeehouse experience. Locals were driving 45 minutes or more to work from coffee shops or even just grab a quality latte. We saw that the need was there and we wanted to provide a top tier experience for the community we’d come to know and love.
Our thought process behind starting Good Stuff Coffeehouse was to create a space for our city of Dallas where individuals can come together to create a community. We saw that Good Stuff could be a place that not only provided a high-quality coffee experience but also would be a welcoming and safe space for all.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Good Stuff Coffeehouse is a third-wave signature coffeehouse, which is just coffee world lingo for a coffeeshop that emphasizes quality. We seek to provide the traditional, urban coffee shop experience to our suburban, small town. Our goal is to make the growing and often daunting topic of signature coffee more accessible to all people. We are excited to invite our guests into conversations regarding coffee education. Many guests find it intimidating to ask questions because coffee culture has, in the past, been somewhat exclusive. We aim to be a part of a growing community of coffee shops that counters that culture.

One aspect of Good Stuff of which I’m most proud is our incredible team. Each individual we have brought on has quickly become part of our family. The care and passion our baristas have for Good Stuff never fails to amaze me. The culture of our team is encouraging and exciting, working at Good Stuff is so much fun. Their joy to be here makes our guests also love to be here.

Getting where we are business-wise, today, has been through constant learning. I’ve learned to approach each task with curiosity and an open mind. The journey here was not easy and I still have so much learning and growth ahead. One of the biggest challenges I had to overcome was solely mental. Starting a business and opening to the public comes along with heaps of expectations and often self-comparison. I had to begin to see that most everyone started from nothing. Just as I had to learn and grow, pretty much every other business owner had to also learn and grow. I came to accept that I’m not the only person who used Google to get the ball rolling and that was encouraging.

I would want the world to know that at Good Stuff Coffeehouse we actually care. We put so much thought into each and every detail from menus to furniture to marketing. We want your experience at Good Stuff to make you feel seen in a world that can be so isolating. Our attention to detail and quality is because we care and are here to serve.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Dallas, Georgia is an up and coming city with big dreams. While we are small, our business are unlike any other town’s. I promise I’m not biased. A perfect day in Dallas begins at Sugar Biscuits, a classic, southern breakfast spot. Or, if you’re feeling a light bite, you could come straight to us at Good Stuff Coffeehouse. While we do offer bagels and bagel sandwiches, our specialty is delicious handcrafted beverages. Whether you’re in the mood for a latte, hot tea, or matcha, we have it all. And, it’s gonna be good stuff no matter what you get. Our coffeehouse has plenty of room to hang out with a friend, pick up a board game, and just hang out.
From there, with your latte in hand, you have to head up the sidewalk to the amazing shops. There is a shop for everyone in Dallas. If you’re looking for a new outfit, Ginny Bird, Sutton and Tate, and 213 on Main are your spots for a range of styles. Art Things is a Dallas classic, highlighting local artists and vendors. Need a gift for your furry friend? Boho + Bark is the dog shop that’s social media viral! Hopp Frogg music carries everything musical you may need and even becomes a live music spot on weekends. Not far from downtown is the Dallas Markets which has a little bit of everything. Local creators and vendors make up the markets and offer a huge array of gifts and finds.
You definitely don’t want to miss my two favorite shops in Dallas: Kitsch & Color and Tin Bucket Mercantile. Kitsch & Color is a uniquely curated gift store featuring retro inspired and colorful stationery, home goods, jewelry, trinkets, gifts, and overall good vibes. Going in Kitsch is sure to put a smile on your face.
Tin Bucket Mercantile is reminiscent of the five and dimes of the ‘good ole days’ with a modern twist. If you’re looking for gifts, home goods, or just a unique find, Tin Bucket has something for everyone. Vinyls, nostalgic toys and candy, on trend accessories, unique home decor, and so much more. Here, you can have a look around, grab a delicious macaron, and even head upstairs to check out their Forever Christmas store.

You can grab lunch at one of the food trucks that visit throughout the week and round out your day at Vintage Wine Bar. Have a glass and relax.

We love our city of Dallas and all that we have to offer. I think one of the main factors that set us apart is the people. Every shop owner is passionate about their business and the city. We would love to see you and show you why we love Dallas so much.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Good Stuff was founded by and with the support of my family. My parents, Kim and Dwayne, are co-owners with me, but my entire family has been a constant support throughout our journey.
The City of Dallas, from government to the locals, have consistently shown nothing but love for us. Every day, we get the privilege to invite our guests into our coffeehouse. From regulars to first timers, every guest is such a blessing. We are grateful for each person who passes our threshold.
The incredible team of baristas at Good Stuff have taken our shop a step above what we ever expected. We like to say that they make Good Stuff great. Their passion for quality and excitement to care for our guests amaze me daily. We would not be the coffee shop we are today without this team.
One of our fiercest supporters from the start was my Grandmother, Helene Jones. She was a trailblazer when it comes to small business in Dallas. She was a fiery and passionate advocate for our businesses. Helene made an incredible impact in Dallas for which we are all thankful.

Website: https://goodstuffcoffeehouse.com

Instagram: @goodstuffcoffeehouse