Savannah-based coffee shop expands to Hilton Head with second location. Here’s when to visit
Origin Coffee, a specialty cafe and roastery based in Savannah, Georgia, is crossing state lines and opening a second location in Hilton Head this August.
Elise and Matt Higgins, both avid coffee lovers, moved to the Savannah area almost 15 years ago.
While planning their wedding, they wanted to find the perfect cup of joe to serve on their big day, but after little luck, they decided to take matters into their own hands.
Together, they co-founded Origin Coffee in 2020. The business started as a quaint mobile espresso bar, then transitioned to a pop-up shop and in 2023, grew into a full-service cafe and roastery nestled in downtown Savannah.
Now, right at the 5-year mark, the couple has decided to expand across the Lowcountry and will share a newly reimagined space in Hilton Head.
“We’ve always been about building spaces that serve the community,” said Matt Higgins. “Hilton Head felt like the right fit, it’s a town where people live, work and raise families. We want to be part of that.”
Located at 35 North Main Street, Suite 100, in the J. Banks complex, the new cafe replaces the former TJ’s Take & Bake Pizza. The cafe will share a space with J. Bank Design, which is launching a new interactive showroom in the same building.
Origin Coffee will officially open its doors to the public on Aug. 1, offering a menu of coffee and pastries with a full brunch menu launching in the coming months.
Why Hilton Head?
Higgins noted that the team was looking to expand, but was waiting for the right opportunity.
With Higgins and his wife both from small towns, they knew their next business move had to reflect that.
Origin’s expansion into Hilton Head was largely prompted by J. Banks, since their staff made frequent visits to Savannah for coffee. That connection is what led to a partnership that Higgins described as “a natural next step.”
“We’ve always said our goal is to be a local neighborhood cafe, wherever we are,” he said. “Hilton Head felt like the right next step, combining a continuation of our brand, community and a local heartbeat.”
The shop is located near schools, the hospital and the airport, providing a location that the Origin team sees as central to Hilton Head’s everyday life.
Local focus
Hilton Head’s Origin Coffee was designed by Sarah Kowalski of J. Banks Design.
Other than a local tie on shop design, all aspects of the cafe are aimed at focusing on the Hilton Head community.
“Everyone working there is a local,” Higgins said. “We want people to feel like this is their space, built for Hilton Head by people who care about Hilton Head.”
What’s on the menu?
Most of their menu items will match that of the Savannah location, with a few special brunch items still under wraps. Besides coffee, tea and matcha items, pastries and other cafe bites are on the horizon.
“We’re taking our time with the kitchen,” Higgins said. “We want the staff to feel confident, the service to be seamless and the food to reflect what the community will truly enjoy.”
Origin Coffee roasts all its coffee in-house at the Savannah location, using beans sourced directly from farmers.
“In our area, we’ve found it’s not common to see a specialty coffee program that roasts their own beans and works directly with growers,” Higgins said. “We hope that aspect of our shop adds something meaningful.”
To learn more about Origin Coffee, you can follow along with their progress on Instagram, Facebook or their website.
This story was originally published July 16, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
