Coffee lovers rejoice: This local place has a new and bigger space

Cindy Peterson
·3 min read

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air at the Lake Square Mall as local favorite OMG Coffee Excellence opened its doors last week at its new location.

Formerly located off U.S. 441 in Tavares, the new cafe offers a much larger dining area, extended menu and free pool table. Paired with its speakeasy vibe, OMG is aiming to be the go-to hang out spot in Leesburg.

“We are so excited for this bigger and better place,” owner Philip Brown said. “We are still in the beginning phases, working out certain things, but we have more plans coming. We hope to have live music, trivia night and other community events.”

OMG Coffee Excellence owner Philip Brown started his search for the perfect cup of coffee in 2016, after he left his career as a truck driver due to family health reasons. Reaching out to his friend and master coffee roaster, Eli Michael Ornberg, OMG Coffee was born.
OMG Coffee Excellence owner Philip Brown started his search for the perfect cup of coffee in 2016, after he left his career as a truck driver due to family health reasons. Reaching out to his friend and master coffee roaster, Eli Michael Ornberg, OMG Coffee was born.

Brown originally started his search for the perfect cup of coffee in 2016, after he left his career as a truck driver due to family health reasons. Reaching out to his friend and master coffee roaster, Eli Michael Ornberg, OMG Coffee was born.

Brown first sold his gourmet coffee at Renninger’s Flea Market in Mount Dora, then tried his hand at a food truck in following years, offering mini donuts and coffee shakes. That led to his first brick-and-mortar shop in Tavares in 2021.

Together with his business partner, Karen Smith, who came on board during the pandemic with her homemade baked goods, the two went to work building the OMG coffee empire.

OMG Coffee Excellence, 10401 U.S. 441 in Leesburg, is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. After the grand opening on Sept. 9, they plan to open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
OMG Coffee Excellence, 10401 U.S. 441 in Leesburg, is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. After the grand opening on Sept. 9, they plan to open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

“We aren’t just a coffee shop,” Brown said. “We are also a distributor. We roast our own blends and have places all over that serve our coffee.”

The menu offers classic favorites of OMG blends like Carolina Pecan, Jamaican Me Crazy, OMG X, OMG No Go, OMG Go Go, Bali Blue Moon, German Chocolate, Go Dark, T-Rex Xtreme, Blueberry Crumble and Vanilla Gorilla. Grab a latte, espresso, cappuccino, Americano or just a plain ‘ol cup of Joe.

For tea lovers, you have a choice to make. The shop offers Karen’s Yankee unsweet tea or Philip’s southern sweet tea. They also offer bottled 64-ounce cold brew.

Specialty shakes can be made with coffee or milk and include classics like vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, green mint and toasted marshmallow, or more adventurous flavors like Oreo mint, S'mores, Nutty Buddy, Butterbeer, birthday cake, chai latte, The Stitch, creamsicle and strawberry cheesecake.  Espresso shakes include caramel macchiato, vanilla cappuccino and mocha latte.

OMG Coffee Excellence offers speciality shakes like the caramel macchiato, signature roasted coffee blends and new luxury cheesecake options at its new location at the Lake Square Mall in Leesburg.
OMG Coffee Excellence offers speciality shakes like the caramel macchiato, signature roasted coffee blends and new luxury cheesecake options at its new location at the Lake Square Mall in Leesburg.

They also have an assortment of baked goods and breakfast items like bagels, cookies, mega cinnamon rolls, muffins, breakfast paninis, pancakes and mini donuts.

Their signature “freakins,” specialty mini donuts, are available on the weekends.

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Lunch sandwiches like the Cuban, pulled pork, cheese, The Sammie and cheesesteak are now available, along with Pappy’s peanut butter pie and luxury cheesecake slices.

OMG Coffee Excellence, 10401 U.S. 441 Unit 322 in Leesburg, is currently open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. After their grand opening on Sept. 9, they plan to open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. More at https://www.facebook.com/omgforme.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: OMG Coffee Excellence unveils new location in Leesburg