New Coffee Shop Brings Purpose-Driven Coffee and Community to Birmingham’s Highland Avenue

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Birmingham’s coffee scene continues to grow with the arrival of Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee, a purpose-driven coffee company that recently opened its doors at the Vesta development on Highland Avenue.

Urbanham recently had the opportunity to visit the new coffee shop during a monthly meeting of the Black Contractors Association Alabama Chapter (BCAAC), which selected the venue as the location for its May membership gathering.

Coordinated by BCAAC Membership Director Donnie Hatcher, the meeting brought together contractors, business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders from across the Birmingham area. The gathering provided many attendees with their first opportunity to experience the new coffee shop while also supporting a business that has only recently opened its doors to the public.

BCAAC President Mr. Jarrod Sims continued the organization’s foundational message on the importance of supporting the community, with a particular emphasis on patronizing Black-owned businesses. Sims noted growing concerns that, across many industries, Black-owned businesses are becoming increasingly difficult to find, making intentional support more important than ever.

But Land of a Thousand Hills is about more than coffee.

Located at 2173 Highland Avenue South within the Vesta development, Land of a Thousand Hills offers specialty coffee, espresso drinks, pastries, and a welcoming atmosphere designed for both casual visitors and professionals looking for a comfortable place to work, meet, or network. However, what truly sets the business apart is the story behind the coffee itself.

The name “Land of a Thousand Hills” is a reference to Rwanda, the East African nation known for its breathtaking rolling hills and rich coffee-growing regions. Following the devastating 1994 genocide, Rwanda’s coffee industry became an important vehicle for economic recovery and community rebuilding. Today, the country’s high-altitude growing conditions and fertile volcanic soil help produce some of the world’s most sought-after specialty coffees.

The company’s mission is rooted in creating direct relationships with coffee farmers and cooperatives, helping ensure that more of the value generated from coffee production remains within the communities where it is grown. Rather than simply purchasing beans through traditional commodity channels, Land of a Thousand Hills emphasizes partnerships that support sustainable economic development and long-term opportunity.

For Birmingham customers, that means the coffee served on Highland Avenue carries a story that stretches from the hillsides of East Africa to the heart of Southside Birmingham. Each cup represents not only a carefully crafted beverage but also a connection to farmers, families, and communities whose livelihoods are tied to one of Africa’s most celebrated exports.

That story of entrepreneurship, resilience, and community investment aligns naturally with Birmingham’s own history of overcoming challenges and building opportunity through local business development. It is a connection that makes Land of a Thousand Hills more than a coffee shop—it makes it a place where global impact and local community meet over a cup of coffee.

For Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee, the event represented more than just another meeting on the calendar. It served as an opportunity to connect with local leaders, introduce the business to a new audience, and begin building relationships within the Birmingham community.

A Gathering with Purpose, By Design

The Black Contractors Association Alabama Chapter’s decision to host its monthly meeting at the venue highlighted the important role local businesses play in strengthening Birmingham’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. As organizations and business leaders intentionally support new establishments, they help create opportunities for collaboration, networking, and economic growth throughout the city.

Those in attendance during the BCAAC meeting warmly welcomed the new business to the neighborhood. The venue’s modern design, inviting environment, and community-focused atmosphere quickly made an impression on guests, many of whom expressed interest in returning for future meetings, business discussions, and casual visits.

As Birmingham continues to evolve, spaces like Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee offer more than a quality cup of coffee—they provide a place where community, conversation, and commerce can come together.

Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee is located at 2173 Highland Avenue South and is open daily for guests looking to experience one of Birmingham’s newest gathering spaces.

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