Momentum Coffee, which opened on Rayford Road in Spring in December, is owned by four local coffee connoisseurs.

“It seemed like the Houston area in general—and especially up north—was underserved with locally owned shops,” co-owner Allen Leibowitz said. “We thought we would [open] the cafe instead of roasting or being in other parts of the business. We like being part of the community.”

Leibowitz, who got into the coffee industry 15 years ago, moved to the Spring area two years ago from Michigan, where he owned a wholesale roasting company and attached cafe.

From his experience, Leibowitz said the most important factors are high-quality customer service and offering the best products available.

“I have this very simple theory on customer service, which is if you care about everybody you work with, that will translate into caring for the guest, and I think that’s what people want,” he said.

Momentum Coffee buys from local, vetted roasters, and at least one of the owners is at the shop at all times when it is open, Leibowitz said.

Some of the most popular sellers include lavender lattes, matcha lattes, European-style drinks and flat whites, which are made with small amounts of coffee or espresso and milk.

“To me, it’s the art of being a barista,” Leibowitz said. “Instead of just making whatever is on the menu, people are creative [and] have their own taste. What we want to do is let the barista shine and have their own drinks.”

Because Momentum Coffee is located near a growing area of the Grand Parkway, the shop has seen a lot of traffic since opening, Leibowitz said. 

“We love being in this neighborhood,” he said.

In the next few months, the shop will add French and Italian bistro-style food items to the menu, Leibowitz said. The owners are also looking into selling their own coffee and potentially opening a location inside Loop 610 in Houston.

“We’re always looking for better ways of doing things,” Leibowitz said. “We aren’t looking for cheaper ways of doing things.”