Six Over Coffee Co. opens in Monterey with minimalist styling.

Imagine rolling up to a hole-in-the wall coffee shop on a motorcycle. You might think you’re somewhere in Europe doing so, but at the newly opened Six Over Coffee Co. just south of downtown Monterey, parked next to you might be the owners’ American chopper bike.

T.J. Ellis and his partner Avery Johnson opened the doors of Six Over Coffee on Dec. 3 in Monterey where a barber shop used to be. The two are motorcycle enthusiasts which is where the shop gets its name: “Six Over” refers to a modification to a bike’s fork to be six inches longer than the stock length, creating the iconic chopper style.

But this isn’t a solo project, and it was Johnson that shared a long-term vision with Ellis to create the business. Ellis made good on his promise to his partner. 

“She kind of talked me into it,” Ellis says, “and [Johnson] and her family were kind enough to make all of this possible."

Ellis says that the vision for the small space is to create a coffeehouse with European vibes. The roastery of choice for the shop is Wilmington, Delaware-based Brandywine Coffee Roasters, known for funky and creative blends of espresso and other coffee.

Like the project motorcycles that inspired its name, the goal is to keep it simple. Ellis says they won’t offer other panache items such as avocado toast or sandwiches, but are committed to the quality of interesting coffee.

Though Six Over is Ellis’s first bout with owning a coffee shop, he has experience building out programs at other local establishments like Ad Astra and helping his brother Tyler Ellis, co-owner of Captain + Stoker, also in Monterey and Pacific Grove. T.J. says that his and Johnson’s is an independent business and doesn’t feel the need for heavy competition between the two.

“It’s all love,” T.J. says. “This will be me and Avery.”

Six Over Coffee Co. is located at 160 Webster St., Monterey.