Knoxville diner won't charge more for coffee despite rising cost

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — As grocery prices continue to rise, one common morning pick-me-up is over 20% more than it was last year.

Between a 50% tariff on one of the world’s largest coffee exporters, Brazil, and droughts in the “bean belt,” coffee is among the items that are seeing a spike in price this year.

While it is a common practice to pass that rising cost off to the consumer, one local diner is keeping its coffee the same price it has always been, despite paying more to pour it.

For years, Nick and J’s Cafe has sold their coffee at the same price.

“$2.95, of course, you get free refills and stuff like that,” said cafe owner, Najwan Natour.

At a price like that, Natour said they can go through pounds of coffee a day.

“We sell a lot of coffee, here we go through probably four