Coffee, Cycling & Community at Cognative Café

Meet Andrea and Austin, the dynamic duo behind Cognative Café. Andrea is part owner and operations manager, also overseeing the custom apparel program, while Austin is co-owner and leads the Cognative MTB apparel brand and retail operations.

Together, they’ve created more than just a café—they’ve built a vibrant community hub where quality coffee, fresh food, and locally crafted outdoor apparel come together in one welcoming space just steps from the Ecusta Trail.

“At Cognative Café, we feature high quality, fresh coffee, light eats, pastries, and lunch items,” Andrea explains. “We focus on quality and consistency in all of our offerings—from our food and beverage to our retail apparel.”

Recently, they expanded their menu to include sandwiches, salads, and gourmet toasts that bring fresh, bold flavor combinations. “We definitely invite you to come out and plan your lunch here and let us know what your favorite was,” Andrea adds.

Austin highlights the café’s unique twist: “One of the things that makes our store really unique is that we have a retail space for our apparel brand, Cognative MTB. Our apparel is mainly focused on cycling, but a lot of it crosses over to everyday outdoor use and activewear.”

This local apparel line was born from the mountain biking culture that defines Western North Carolina. “This area has become a destination for mountain biking. It’s definitely the place to go east of the Mississippi,” Austin says. The apparel is rigorously tested in the diverse WNC climate to ensure high performance rain or shine.

Since launching Cognative MTB in 2017, Austin and Andrea have woven giving back into their business model. “We donate 2% from our top line revenue back to public land through volunteer trail organizations, through our 2% for the Trails program.” Austin shares. “By the end of this year, we’ll have donated over $100,000 to groups like Friends of DuPont and Pisgah Area SORBA who maintain and advocate for our trails.”

Community connections are at the heart of Cognative Café. Andrea notes, “We want everyone who steps foot in here, whether you’re a first-time coffee drinker or a total coffee connoisseur, to feel comfortable and at home.” The café welcomes a diverse crowd — from bikers and families to folks working remotely or meeting friends. “It’s really just a great place where you can come and relax,” Andrea says.

Supporting local businesses is part of that community ethos. “Our commitment to partnering with local vendors is an extension of our ethos of cultivating community,” Andrea explains. “We offer local beans through Cooperative Coffee Roasters and partner with multiple local bakeries. We’re really proud of the relationships we’ve built right here in our community.”

Austin echoes this passion: “Western North Carolina is unique because of its culture, small businesses, and incredible public lands. By partnering with local vendors, it feels like an extension of the greater community here — it’s just who we are.”

A standout feature for both locals and visitors is the newly opened segment of the Ecusta Trail, a Rails-to-Trails program that turns an old rail corridor into a beautiful multi-use trail.

“It’s beyond exciting,” Austin says. “It opened this summer from Hendersonville to Horseshoe right here across the street from us. It offers a safe, six-mile-long biking and walking path with stunning mountain views and a stream running alongside.”

With the trail’s proximity, Cognative Café is perfectly positioned as a rest stop or meet-up point for trail users.

Connecting face-to-face with customers is one of the favorite parts of the Cognative Café journey. Andrea shares, “We love surprising someone by remembering their favorite drink or hearing about their plans for the week. It’s great to connect with our local and visiting community every day.”

Austin hopes visitors experience not only the friendly service but also a slice of WNC culture. “We live in such a beautiful area, and we want visitors to connect with our mountains, communities, and local businesses. This area’s natural beauty and culture are something everyone should experience.”

Ready to fuel your next ride, relax with friends, or discover locally made outdoor apparel? Cognative Café is waiting to welcome you — with a great cup of coffee and a warm smile, right on the doorstep of the Ecusta Trail.

When you’re ready to stay a while, the Cognative Ridehouse just next door offers the perfect home base for your Hendersonville adventure.

Head to our Lodging Page to explore all your options. Need a little inspiration? Check out our curated list of unique stays: Stay Your Way.

We can’t wait to welcome you to Hendersonville!