In the bustling world of specialty coffee, where passion meets precision and community thrives on the aroma of freshly brewed beans, there are pioneers who not only craft exceptional beverages but also cultivate vibrant cultural hubs. Among them stands Billy Schiel, a visionary and cultural architect at the helm of Honor Society Coffee Co. With a blend of entrepreneurial spirit, unwavering dedication, and a deep-seated love for both coffee and community, Schiel has carved out a niche in the industry, elevating the coffee experience beyond mere consumption into a journey of connection and appreciation. Join us as we delve into the story of Billy Schiel, the driving force behind Honor Society Coffee Co., and explore how his unique vision is reshaping the landscape of specialty coffee one cup at a time.
HB: What inspired you to open a coffee bar in Tomball, Texas?
BS: I was born and raised in Tomball and wanted to create a cultural hub in our community where people could come together and enjoy the best cup of coffee and service in a well-designed space.
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HCB: Can you tell us about the unique offerings and pastries that Honor Society Coffee provides?
BS: We offer pastries from local bakers including Bakehouse & Moore & Manna Bread. A range of pastries are delivered multiple times per week including gluten free scones, kolaches, sausage bread, & coffee cake. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory.
HCB: Was the location of your coffee bar in Tomball once a home? If so, how did you transform it into a coffee shop?
BS: The shop was a 1930’s Humble Oil Camp house that had previously been used by a local masseuse. The Hutson Group, who owns the property, rehabbed it to bring it up to current code for food & beverage and then we basically started with a blank canvas on the design. We wanted to maximize the square footage to get the most seating while not losing a natural flow to the bar. So, my business partner Matt and I, worked it all out together and then went to work with a minimalistic modern approach. We love the colors and the contrast of natural wood and greenery that helps create the “vibes”.
HCB: How did you come up with the concept for the wall tables in your coffee bar?
BS: You’ve heard it said that “necessity is the mother of all invention”. We knew we wanted to get the most out of space and Matt and I both are drawn to the form and function of the hair pin legs. It just kind of made sense as we started making them.
HCB: What challenges did you face when starting your coffee shop and how did you overcome them?
BS: Most of the challenges early on had to do with adjusting to the massive response of the community right from the jump. We were not prepared with our supply chain etc and keeping up with the demand. It took us at least 90 days to really get things dialed in with that. Also, the limited parking on Houston St creates another set of challenges. We’ve been able to flex and pivot well. Agility in small business is a must.
HCB: How do you ensure the quality and consistency of your coffee and pastries?
BS: Now, we are roasting all our coffees through our sister company HS Roasting Co. I began my coffee journey back in 2013 as a home coffee roaster and had a roasting business until 2017. So, we’re capitalizing on that experience in roasting to help maximize that business also. We feel like there’s a big upside with HS Roasting Co and can’t wait to get all the infrastructure in place to allow us to scale. We roast each coffee to what our personal palates enjoy and to highlight the natural sweetness in each origin. For our pastries, we source what we like from local bakers doing their thing fresh daily.
HCB: Can you share any interesting stories or experiences you've had with customers at Honor Society Coffee?
BS: I can think of one right of the top. One early Saturday morning my wife and I went to the shop for our coffee, as is our routine each Saturday before the crazy rush hits. There was a woman who was chatting up our baristas asking about the coffee etc. and she had a British accent. At one point our barista directed her over to me to answer one of her questions. I gave her my recommendations and she ordered a Girbraltar along with a slice of our coffee cake. She grabbed a spot at one of the tables and enjoyed her items. When she was finished, she came over and told me, “I live in Paris and I’ve had coffee and coffee cake all over the world, and that was some of the best coffee and THE best coffee cake that I’ve ever had!” Wow, what a compliment!
HCB: What sets Honor Society Coffee apart from other coffee shops in the area?
BS: Honestly, it’s the foundation of our business, which is “Honor others above ourselves”. Our aim is to see the dignity and value in every human being that comes through our doors and treat them with honor, great coffee, & great service. Our team is amazing, our products are stellar, and the vibes in the shop are always fresh. We’re blessed.
HCB: How do you select and source your coffee beans?
BS: We select the beans based on the origins we enjoy. Coffee is much like the wine industry. Terroir, varieties, & cultivars all factor into the coffee cherry. We work with a local importer to help us achieve the freshest crop of green coffees and when we roast fresh, we think you can taste the difference in every sip.
HCB: Are there any future plans or expansions for Honor Society Coffee?
BS: We’re always dreaming and working toward expansion. We think HS Coffee Co. & HS Roasting Co are both poised to expand over the next 5-7 years.
HCB: What is your personal favorite coffee or pastry from your menu?
BS: My daily go-to espresso beverage is our “Gibraltar”. It’s a double shot of espresso cut with steamed milk in the Libbey Co Gibraltar glass. Similar to a cortado, but different.
HCB: How do you engage with the local community and support other businesses in the area?
BS: We have a pretty epic collection of craft and artisan small businesses on Houston St and in our neighborhood. Award winning restaurant Tejas Choclate & Barbecue, local favorite Graze, Callie’s Kitchen, and SAHA Yoga & Wellness studio are all great. We host live music events, block parties, and our new annual Summer tradition we’ve dubbed as “A Mid-Summer's Night Luau” which is our version of Houston Heights “White Linen Night”. It’s all about collaboration for the good of our city.
HCB: Can you describe the atmosphere and ambiance of Honor Society Coffee?
BS: The atmosphere & ambiance are very warm, friendly, welcoming and chill. The “vibes” are always flowing.
HCB: Are there any special events or collaborations that Honor Society Coffee has been a part of?
BS: For sure...We try to do quarterly events including the Luau and our “Christmas Under The Live Oak” annual Christmas concert in December.
HCB: Share with us the story of how the name for Honor Society Coffee came about.
BS: Honor Society is a concept I’ve liked for a number of years and during the pandemic I decided to turn it into a direct-to-consumer, online coffee business. It became a full-on thing when Matt and I decided to open the espresso bar on Houston St together. The origin of the name comes from this Christian idea found in the Bible in the book of Romans, chapter 12 verse 10. Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another.
Address: 105 Houston St, Tomball, Tx 77375
Phone: (832) 971-8262
Website: Honor Society Coffee Co on the Web
Pastry photos and video credit: Mike Acosta, Houston City Beat
Coffee Crew Photo: Provided by Honor Society Coffee Co.
