Before every epic adventure, there’s a moment of pause—a gathering spot, a spark of anticipation, and often, a really good cup of coffee. At Lost Worlds Coffee, tucked inside the Cornelius brewery each morning, that moment is crafted by Noelle, the barista who turns your daily caffeine stop into something more. “It’s a treat, an experience, and a purpose all wrapped in a coffee,” she says.

A self-proclaimed people person with a love for coffee culture, Noelle brings heart, humor, and a sense of calm to every shift behind the bar. With years of experience in hospitality and a passion for creating meaningful connections, she sees her role as more than just making coffee drinks—it’s about building community. Whether she’s dialing in espresso or remembering your name and order, Noelle’s approach is intentional and personal. She thrives on early mornings, good conversations, and the shared energy that comes from being part of someone’s daily ritual. At Lost Worlds Coffee, she’s not just crafting your cortado—she’s setting the tone for your day. Get to know the person fueling your morning ritual—and why your next great adventure might just begin with a coffee in hand.

What’s your favorite coffee experiment you’ve crafted lately—and did it turn out the way you expected?

My favorite coffee experiment was our May drink of the month, Peanut Butter Peak. We tried to find our desired viscosity of our peanut butter sauce. We also tested different combinations such as marshmallow and peanut butter, chocolate and peanut butter, and landed with salted caramel and peanut butter. That’s one of the fun things about this trade- you create and then adapt until you get a result that tastes delicious. It’s been selling well, and we will be adding it to our permanent latte offerings.

How has your experience as a teacher influenced the way you connect with customers in the coffee shop?

When I think about teaching, I think about the word connection a lot. Connecting information to the real world, connecting to colleagues, families, and of course my students. As humans, we all strive to feel a sense of belonging. I think of my most chatty students throughout the years- they just wanted to feel connected in some way. I think all the other roles I have had prior to teaching- taught me to be proactive, organized and reliable. Teaching showed me the importance of relationships and that’s something I strive to have with my customers.

Tell us about a favorite moment or conversation you’ve had with a guest here at Lost Worlds Coffee.

I absolutely love my regulars! Dave joked when I interviewed that Lost Worlds can kind of be like Cheers. Each of my regulars are like characters, but the work from home (Lost Worlds) season. I enjoy chatting about their weekend or how their newest project is going. Are they procrastinating? Maybe. I’ve been able to network with some great locals in various industries and have had great conversations. It’s a special place.

When you're not crafting lattes and cold brews, what kinds of adventures do you love to go on?

I love to travel! I went to the summit of Mauna Kea and swam in the Great Barrier Reef. It’s a little more difficult to travel now that we have a toddler. Other activities I enjoy doing include kayaking on the lake, playing tennis, reading books, writing and spending time with friends and family. Oh, and I love playing trivia, also hard to do when you have a toddler.

If you could serve a cup of coffee anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Hmm. This is a tough one. Anywhere in the world to serve coffee… I love the city, the beach, the mountains etc. Maybe a mobile coffee truck so I can go wherever life takes me.

Lost Worlds encourages starting your adventure early—what does that tagline mean to you personally?

Start your adventure early…there’s nothing more I love than the meet up prior to an adventure. Let’s grab a coffee before doing X, Y, and Z. It’s a treat, an experience, and a purpose all wrapped in a coffee. I love being the person to provide that for you. See you soon!

Pouring Passion: Meet Noelle, the Heart Behind Your Morning Cup at Lost Worlds Coffee