Merit Coffee is making its debut in the Houston market next year. CultureMap recently reported that the San Antonio-based coffee shop and roaster is set to open two locations in 2026. The coffee brand will open in the former Starbucks at 5115 Buffalo Speedway at the beginning of 2026. Merit Coffee will then open its second Houston location at the Swift Building near MKT Heights at 621 Waverly St. in the summer of 2026.
The latter was recently announced by Houston real estate developers Radom Capital and Triten Real Estate Partners, who shared that the coffee shop is one of the first two food and beverage options to come to The Swift BLDG, their new mixed-use project in the historic Swift & Company Packing Plant that’s located near the Heights Hike & Bike Trail.
What Now Houston reached out to Merit Coffee CEO, Bill Ellis, for comment, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
Founded in 2009 in San Antonio, the new coffee shops will join Merit Coffee‘s existing 13 locations in San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas. Come 2026, Merit Coffee will bring its café atmosphere and barista-led experience to Houston’s vibrant coffee scene.
But Houstonians can already try Merit’s ethically sourced coffee beans in-store. Merit sources coffee beans from growers in Central/South America and Africa and then roasts them locally. The company’s coffee beans are sold at H-E-B, Central Market, and Whole Foods Market. In 2026, Houston customers will also get to experience Merit cafes’ friendly neighborhood atmosphere when the two locations open off at Buffalo Speedway and in the Swift BLDG.
Merit’s Houston cafés will feature the brand’s signature offerings, including cold brew options, a variety of espresso bar picks, teas, hot and iced matchas, and a plethora of pastries.
Houstonians can try it all in-store, at one of the two Merit Coffee cafes when the coffee brand opens in the former Starbucks at 5115 Buffalo Speedway at the beginning of 2026, and at its second Houston location at the Swift Building near MKT Heights at 621 Waverly St. when it opens doors in the summer of 2026.
