From horse trailer to hotspot, Britton Coffee Co. offers a cozy, welcoming atmosphere for all
Story and Photos by Ana Maria Villanueva Lykes
Jordan Britton used to drive home from a construction job in Philadelphia at
4 a.m. each morning. On that drive, he would pass by an abandoned gas station, wishing there were a drive-thru café for a shot of caffeine to keep him awake.
Three years later, Jordan is the owner and operator of three local coffee shops that keep him energized. He’s come a long way from the refurbished horse trailer he launched his business in parked next to that abandoned gas station.



Cozy Coffee Culture
Perhaps as an homage to the old sign on the trailer of his first shop, a big sign at the foot of the stairs leading to their newest location in Hanover simply spells “coffee,” welcoming guests into the warm and inviting den—an atmosphere that Britton had always envisioned for his cafés. When Jordan opened his first coffee shop in that beat-up trailer, he simply painted the word “coffee” on the outside instead of stamping his name on it, unsure of how the business venture would do.
It was a miserable start, fixing up the trailer in a barn with no heat in the middle of winter. But he persevered—even when it was starting to feel like a huge mistake. Jordan says it was a lot of little miracles that kept him going, and eventually the business grew from the refurbished trailer to the first brick-and-mortar shop in the gas station on Baltimore Pike to the second shop in McSherrystown—and then to the newest café on York Street.
The industrial look of York Street’s basement location, with exposed pipes and an unfinished ceiling, is a contrast to the cozy vibe, but the two styles jibe. The inviting interior also has a playful side. By the door is a small nook that proclaims: “World’s Smallest Coffee Shop.” Inside sits a little chair with toy pastries on a tray, and by the entrance to the tiny café, a rug shares the sentiment of the shop: “So happy you’re here.”
At the McSherrystown location, a miniature version of the trailer where it all started stands in the middle of the café for “Baristas in Training.” “We want to have something for everyone, including kids,” explains Jason Hollenbeck, Britton’s managing partner, who has been with Jordan right from the start when they were both involved in construction.
The laidback personalities of Jordan and Jason make everyone feel at home; they chat with customers like they are hanging out with friends. Jordan is often seen playing the piano in the South Hanover shop. “Coffee culture to me felt kinda gatekept,” he recalls from his college days. “It felt intimidating to go in and order.” With that in mind, he built his shop to make it accessible to everyone while still catering to all types of coffee drinkers.
Training the Taste Buds
Many of the café’s creations have been a result of trial and error. For instance, the Banana Cream Pie Special was, according to one of their baristas, one of the “hardest code to crack.” But the experiment paid off, as fans claim that the banana-flavored frappe is one of Britton Coffee’s best concoctions yet.
The Cookies and Cream Cold Foam, a crowd favorite, is a nod to a childhood favorite. The creamy mocha cold brew is topped with Oreo cookie crumbles, making for a nostalgic sweet treat. In keeping with their promise to make the shop accessible to everyone, many of their specials can be made caffeine free.
Classics like espresso are tailored toward Jordan’s taste, but he jokes he has cleverly “trained” his customers to appreciate the smoother roast with a stronger caffeine content. While some come for that caffeine fix, others also enjoy the bagel and croissant sandwiches, wraps, muffins and donuts freshly baked in-store.
Inspired Ideas
With the third and newest café opening in downtown Hanover, Jordan realizes the need to attract more customers to the area. “It doesn’t matter how well of a job we do if there aren’t enough people interested in coming downtown.” With that challenge, Jordan looks at collaborative work with local establishments, whether it be a profitable event or a simple project that spreads joy, such as partnering with schools to have students draw on their coffee sleeves.
Signs inside all three locations inspire people to “Be Kind” or “Work Hard,” and their trailer logo is stamped everywhere, from the cup sleeves to the piano, and sometimes even on the foam toppings of their drinks. It’s a steady reminder of their humble beginnings and the rewards of perseverance.
Although Jordan has no plans of expanding anytime soon, he and Jason traveled to Seattle, the country’s coffee capital, to learn more about how to manage the company’s growth. As both have experienced, running three shops is quite different from running two. “The biggest thing for Seattle for me is what my role can be in implanting training and consistency across all three locations,” Jason explains. And that trip had another bonus: it inspired more delicious ideas, such as refreshing summer drinks like Italian sodas and fruity teas served alongside new pastries fresh out of the oven.
Britton Coffee Co.
McSherrystown
639 South St.
Hours:
6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
South Hanover
2633 Baltimore Pike
Hours:
6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday
7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Downtown Hanover
11 York St.
Hours:
6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday