On the Rise

“There will probably be some [items] that aren’t that healthy for you,” Tom says. “But you’ll have the option to go healthy as well.”

Rise will sell juices and smoothies in addition to regular coffee and tea, and the a la carte menu allows you to choose just how healthily or unhealthily you’d like to start  your day. Low-fat, fat-free and whole wheat options are available, in addition to items that cater to vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free eaters.

Tom originally was looking to establish the brick-and-mortar for Rise in either Magnolia Grill’s location on Ninth Street or in a space on Foster Street. Now he’s looking south, possibly opening up shop in the same shopping center where the Super Target is located off of Renaissance Parkway. Tom’s hoping to move into a space in the beginning of August, but until then, he and his staff – Brian Wiles, formally of Nana’s, and Jim Johnson, from Magnolia Grill  – will be experimenting with their new doughnut-making equipment in Durham Catering Company’s kitchen.

“As cooks with 80-plus years of experience combined, we’re all super jazzed about getting to use our skills to do something so different and creative,” Tom says.

The three are currently planning on hosting free tastings at Durham Catering as they work to perfect their doughnuts and biscuits, which Tom says will hopefully take place on Sundays. Stay updated on those dates through their Facebook.

“It’s going to be really, really good,” Tom says of Rise. “I guarantee it.”