2nd Wave Coffee owner is making small-business dream come true in Berlin. Meet her here.

In search of a good cup of coffee? Take a stroll down Williams Street in Berlin, Maryland.

As you walk, notice the smell of roasted coffee beans in the air, an aroma so strong you can practically taste it; the smooth sound of spinning vinyl records drifting in the wind; and the infectious laughter of friends, family and strangers erupting over the clink of cappuccino cups.

Look no further. You've arrived.

Welcome to Berlin's newest coffee shop, 2nd Wave Coffee & Social.

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Recently, the small Eastern Shore town welcomed a new face to the business scene: Claire Miller, owner of 2nd Wave Coffee.

Miller, who relocated to Berlin from the Washington, D.C., area, is beginning a second chapter — or a second wave — in her life; hence the name of her coffee shop, 2nd Wave Coffee & Social.

"It's like being a bartender during the day," she said.

Miller can remember the first time she drove down Main Street in Berlin — a memory she holds onto.

"I said, 'A. I've got to come back here and spend more time. B. Oh my gosh, could you find a more amazing town?' When I was seriously considering relocating, Berlin was calling to me," she shared.

Now, living across the street from her very own thriving small business and surrounded by some of the most wonderful and supportive townsfolk, Miller finds herself living out a "Gilmore Girls" episode — ironically, one of her favorite television shows to date.

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A corporate world woman with small business dreams

2nd Wave Coffee officially opened to the public at 19 Williams St. on Oct. 31, 2023. Since then, the locally and woman-owned coffee shop has received a tremendous amount of support from the surrounding community.

"We were mobbed on the first day. It was standing-room only," Miller, 50, said.

Prior to opening 2nd Wave Coffee, Miller spent about 20 years working in the corporate world, where she managed small recruiting teams for big-name software companies such as PayPal.

Yet, for as long as she could remember, the fifty-year-old with a penchant for brewing a cup of coffee has always dreamt of running her own small business.

Miller had two ideas in mind: either a record store or coffee shop. But, seeing as that Berlin was already home to a record store — Sound Storm Records — a coffee shop only made sense.

"I have always wanted to own my own business. I was like, I'm not getting any younger. It's time to do it," Miller shared. "So, when I found this space, I said, 'Let's do it.' "

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Opening coffee shop has been 'a challenge from the very beginning'

Getting started, however, proved to be a challenge.

"It's been a challenge from the very beginning. I project managed this entire thing by myself. It was a lot of learning, making mistakes, figuring it out and researching," Miller said. "I would be remiss if I didn't say I've made a ton of mistakes. But, I've also learned so much. It's constant learning."

As a woman, Miller faced certain challenges that a male counterpart could easily avoid.

"When it came to project managing the construction of this space and interacting with tradesmen — plumbers, electricians — that was challenging as a woman. I don't feel like there's that level of respect around women," she admitted.

Now, after more than four months in business, Miller has finally found her rhythm.

"Now, when I come in in the morning, there's just this ease, comfort and confidence because it's clicking," she shared.

"The hard stuff that I've encountered, it humbles you. It's very humbling being a small business owner," she added. "It's much more physically demanding than what I was doing, but I wouldn't change a thing. To be able to create something that people love so much, make the decisions and not have to go to someone else to get approval has been awesome."

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2nd Wave Coffee Shop created with 'community in mind'

The coffee shop serves up locally sourced coffee from Annapolis's Ceremony Coffee Roasters, and is just starting to use a new Delaware-based roastery — Brandywine Coffee Roasters.

With every cup of freshly brewed coffee that's served, Miller keeps her customers in the forefront of her mind.

"I love coffee. But for me, this space is so much more than just grabbing a cup of coffee. I really created it with the community in mind," she said.

2nd Wave Coffee thrives on three things: coffee, music and people.

When designing the layout of her coffee shop, Miller aimed for a warm, bright and inviting space with colorful paintings dotting the walls, an eclectic style and good vibes all around. Altogether, she has succeeded in creating a cozy atmosphere that feels like home.

"At some point, (the coffee shop) just took on a life of its own," she said. "It's evolved after just four months. It didn't have the character then that it has now."

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Customers urged to get creative with their coffee orders

Together, Miller and her all-female staff encourage customers of all ages to stop by and stay a while, and to not be intimidated by the menu when deciding on what to order.

"Coffee can be intimidating to a lot of people," she shared. "I'm a big fan of building a drink around a person; really finding out what they like, what flavors they enjoy. I encourage people to get creative and not be bound to what we have on the menu."

Miller is surrounded by coffee every day. For that reason, her go-to coffee order is ever-changing.

"My go-to at the moment is a dirty chai with a good four shots of espresso," she said with a smile.

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Big plans for the future of 2nd Wave Coffee & Social

Looking forward, Miller believes the future of 2nd Wave Coffee is bright.

Miller has a lot of plans in the works, such as educational classes alongside local roastery Iron Skillet Coffee and special collaborations with local businesses such as Sound Storm Records.

The collaborations will kick off this month, with the first event — Emo Night — taking place on March 15, and the second — Taylor Swift Night, said to celebrate the release of Taylor Swift's new album — taking place on April 19.

Hand-picked vinyl records — courtesy of Sound Storm Records — will be spun, signature cocktails — such as espresso martinis — will be served, and fun will undoubtedly be had.

"Now that we've gotten our sea legs, there's a lot of things I'm hoping to do," Miller shared.

March is Women's History Month, a time to commemorate the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history, according to womenshistorymonth.gov. Every month, but this month especially, the town of Berlin celebrates its female entrepreneurs such as Claire Miller.

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To any woman, young or old, who is looking to open her own business but doesn't know where to start, Miller has three words of advice: "Believe in yourself."

"You've got to go after your dreams, and sooner rather than later," she said matter-of-factly. "It's very scary, but have faith in yourself because you can do it."

Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Small-business dream comes true for 2nd Wave Coffee owner in Berlin