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Atlanta’s Ponce City Market is known for its high-energy atmosphere and bustling food hall, but positioned above the action on the second floor of the converted Sears building, The Upper Room offers a different pace.
Co-founders Kelsey Maynor and Shakirah DeMesier have transformed this space inside the historic landmark into a versatile venue hosting everything from cocktail classes to coffee tastings, all while bringing a new experience to A-Town’s beverage scene.
Though their origins span opposite sides of the country – Hampton, Virginia, for Maynor and Fort Huachuca, Arizona, for DeMesier – Atlanta’s entrepreneurial community united the two business partners. Their partnership combines Maynor’s hospitality experience and DeMesier’s business acumen, creating The Upper Room’s foundation.
“Shakirah was doing business consulting, and I was helping small businesses navigate city resources,” Maynor recounts. “It was our shared interest in supporting local businesses that made our partnership a natural fit.”
With 15 years of experience in Atlanta’s restaurant industry, Maynor sharpened his skills through roles ranging from managing Café Circa to helping develop the Atlanta Breakfast Club.
DeMesier complements Maynor’s expertise with her multi-faceted career, blending creative work in acting and writing with marketing experience at Carol’s Daughter and entrepreneurial support through the Russell Innovation Center.
Culture, Coffee and Cocktail Classes
When conceptualizing The Upper Room, the co-founders desired to reinvent the standard lounge concept. Their goal was to create a space where coffee culture meets craft cocktails, with an intentional focus on showcasing Black-owned brands.
“Kelsey and I saw an opportunity to create something Atlanta hadn’t seen before,” DeMesier explains. “We developed an environment where people feel just as comfortable in the morning with a laptop as they do at night with a cocktail.”
Since opening in November 2024, The Upper Room has lived up to its name – a double entendre referencing both its second-floor location and its mission to elevate spirits, experiences and conversations.
“We’ve seen friendships form and business ideas spark right here in The Upper Room,” DeMesier shares. “It’s incredible to witness the community that’s growing around our concept.”
The coffee, wine and cocktail bar has carved a unique niche by championing Black-owned brands. The venue helps build connections between consumers and Black businesses, giving them a space to be discovered and valued. This thoughtful strategy allows The Upper Room to turn everyday indulgences into opportunities for conscious consumerism.
Guests can start their morning sipping Panamanian French press coffee as the sunlight fills the Ponce City Market space. Midday provides a chance to enjoy light bites, whether the freshly-made sandwiches or the popular Caribbean-style patties, with fresh-pressed juices or wine.
Evenings shift to their signature cocktails like the Southern Elegance made with Uncle Nearest Whiskey and their popular espresso martini, which replaces traditional vodka with Ten To One Rum.
“As entrepreneurs, we know how hard it can be for Black businesses to get into markets,” says Maynor. “We’re leveraging our space to create opportunities for these businesses to gain more visibility and connect directly with our customers.”
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Building Community Through Craft and Commerce
Knowledge sharing drives The Upper Room’s interactive learning experiences. Their growing events calendar currently features wine tastings, candle-making workshops and cocktail classes. Each session allows brand owners, mixologists, and artisans to share technical skills alongside entrepreneurial stories.
“Our cocktail classes are all about understanding the origins of the spirits, the people behind them, and the impact of supporting Black-owned businesses,” Maynor declares. “Guests may walk in asking for mainstream brands, but we help them leave with a new favorite Black-owned spirit they may not have known about.”
While Maynor and DeMesier cite interactive events as a priority for their community engagement, they are as equally dedicated to improving customer experiences as their business continues to evolve. In fact, the emphasis on customer service led to the implementation of text-based ordering – a service option well appreciated by corporate tenants in Ponce City Market, like Pinterest and Mastercard.
“Introducing our delivery service to Ponce City Market employees who can’t get away from their desks has been a game changer for us,” DeMesier explains. “They text us and pay online, and we bring it to them free of cost at a 10% discount.”
After cementing The Upper Room’s place in Atlanta’s hospitality industry, Maynor and DeMesier are planning for strategic growth. Hotel developers and other potential industry partners have taken notice of the restaurant’s success, presenting opportunities to replicate their business concept.
As they explore these possibilities, both entrepreneurs aim to ensure they continue providing guidance, resources and networking opportunities to support Black businesses.
“The Upper Room has already exceeded our expectations in many ways,” says Maynor. “We’re excited to continue growing thoughtfully and intentionally, always keeping our community and mission at the forefront.”
For more information on The Upper Room’s offerings, including their weekly cocktail classes and special events, visit their website or follow the brand on Instagram. You can also visit the location at 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308.
