Copyright Charleston Post and Courier
ROCK HILL — A Hawaiian coffee company will open its newest location near downtown Rock Hill in 2026. Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii will open in The Thread, a mixed-use development located at 220 West White Street, the company announced Nov. 12. The franchise will occupy just under 2,600 square feet of retail space and is expected to open in March 2026. Father-daughter duo, Doug Epperly and Abby Epperly, have partnered to open the business. Abby Epperly, a University of Louisville graduate, discovered the Bad Ass Coffee brand as a student and said she immediately connected with its down-to-earth culture and “ohana” spirit. Founded in 1989, Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii now has more than 40 locations across the United States, including one in Surfside, S.C. The Rock Hill location was first announced in Oct. 2024 as part of a larger three-store expansion planned in South Carolina. Abby Epperly said she and her dad are setting out to not just open a coffee shop, but create a destination. “The Thread was our first choice from the beginning — it’s who we wanted to take to the dance,” said Doug Epperly. “We’ve lived in Rock Hill for years and love this community. When we found Bad Ass Coffee and learned more about the brand’s energy and values, we knew it belonged here.”
