Rachel and Nick Patterson, owners of Flip and Sip Cafe in South County, wore themselves to the ground operating their smoke shop businesses before deciding they were ready for a change – though it didn’t require a completely fresh start. The Pattersons said their religious faith provided the guidance they needed to make the change.
“One morning I got in my car, and I was about to start crying because I was so angry. I didn’t want to go to the vape shops anymore,” Nick Patterson said. “Then my mind went silent. And this idea was put into my head, and it was just as simple as turning the vape shop into a coffee shop. As soon as I heard that, I knew it was an idea given to me from God.”
It didn’t take much to convince his wife, Rachel Patterson, who was also eager for a change.
After selling one of their shops, the Pattersons repurposed and reimagined their remaining space into what is now Flip and Sip Cafe. Though the Pattersons did, in fact, flip their business, the inspiration behind the name reflects the food offerings on their menu, paired with “sip” for the coffee side of the business.
While a common misconception is that they sell pancakes, most of the menu focuses on sweet crepes, waffles and coffee. They also offer breakfast and lunch sandwiches.
As for the coffee, the Pattersons enjoy experimenting with flavors, often offering seasonal selections with unique combinations. Their summer menu recently launched, featuring a s’mores latte, honey blueberry macchiato, strawberry matcha and cinnamon toast crunch latte.
“It’s definitely a lot of trial and error and testing,” Nick Patterson said. “We also have friends who come in, and we’ll ask them, ‘Does this sound good? Does this taste good?’ That’s very helpful, too. We have a lot of support from our friends and family.”
While many of their drinks rotate seasonally, one beverage from the spring menu became so popular that it earned a permanent place on the menu.
“We had one called the Bee’s Knees Macchiato. It was so popular that one lady said she would cry if we took it off the menu. Her husband comes in every day and gets her a Bee’s Knees Macchiato,” Rachel Patterson said. “So we’re actually adding that one as a Flip and Sip signature drink.”
The Pattersons began operating Flip and Sip by themselves before quickly realizing they needed additional help.
“We did not expect it to take off as much as it did and get as many regulars as we did so quickly,” Nick Patterson said.
That community support has inspired the couple to shape their business around customer feedback, from taking suggestions for future menu additions – such as savory crepes – to planning events that bring people together.
Among those events are a Father’s Day classic car show and Summer Nights at the Coffee Shop, a series of themed Friday evening events throughout July featuring activities such as movies and trivia.
“We want to provide a space where people can meet each other,” Nick Patterson said.
Looking ahead, the Pattersons said their long-term goal is to purchase land and build their own facility, allowing them to expand and create a permanent home for the business.
Until then, they said continued community support through word-of-mouth recommendations, social media reviews and customer visits will help them move closer to that goal.
The cafe is located at 13084 Tesson Ferry Road in St. Louis and is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It is closed Mondays.