Kuku Ethiopian Coffee
A Taste of Culture, Connection, and Home
Meet Bethelhem, the heart behind Kuku Ethiopian Coffee, a cozy and welcoming coffee shop nestled in the center of Clarkston, Georgia. But the story of Kuku starts long before its storefront opened — it begins in the hills of Ethiopia, where Bethelhem first fell in love with the aroma, tradition, and community woven into every cup of coffee.
As a young girl, I would bring home coffee cherries, leaves, and cascara, playing with flavors and brewing methods. I had no idea it would become a business — I was just curious and loved sharing,” she remembers. Her mother once told her, “I think one day this will become your business.” That spark stayed with her.
Years later, after moving to the U.S., Bethelhem spent five years working at Amplio Recruiting, an organization supporting refugee communities. During this time, with the support of her boss and family, she began seriously planning the dream: to create a space that reflected her heritage, offered hospitality, and served something deeply personal — Ethiopian coffee.
Each Friday, her boss encouraged her to write down ideas and place them in a shoebox. “Every week, we read through them together,” she recalls. Bit by bit, Kuku Ethiopian Coffee came to life — a space that offers not just beverages, but warmth, healing, and belonging.
Today, Kuku is more than a coffee shop. It’s a cultural hub where conversations flow freely, where traditions are honored, and where every customer feels at home. Bethelhem’s journey from curious coffee lover to business owner is a powerful reminder of how dreams rooted in community and identity can grow into something truly special.
Stop by Kuku Ethiopian Coffee and taste more than just coffee — experience a journey, a culture, and a story in every cup.
