Meet the owners of the Columbus coffee shop that inspired the Chalice in ‘Theo of Golden’
“I would say that the coffee shop is probably the most tangible piece of the book in Columbus, in my opinion.”
The idea for Theo of Golden started right here. Allen Levi was sitting in Fountain City Coffee, looking at the portraits on our walls (about 90 of them, drawn by his longtime friend, local artist Garry Pound) and wondered what it would be like to buy those portraits and give each one to the person in it. That question became the novel, and our shop became the Chalice. Come see the portraits for yourself at 1007 Broadway.
The shop behind the story
Allen Levi: Spreading kindness through his book, “Theo of Golden”
“I love the portraits on the walls there.”
Levi on how the portraits at Fountain City Coffee sparked the idea for the book.
Theo of Golden in Columbus, GA: A Literary Walking Tour
A self-guided tour of the Columbus places behind the book, starting at Fountain City Coffee.
Where to Find the Real Theo of Golden in Columbus, Georgia
A travel guide to the real places behind Golden, with Fountain City Coffee as the first stop.
Theo's light roast
Golden Hour Blend
We roasted Golden Hour in honor of the book. Brew a cup and read along.
100% Arabica · Multiple Origin
Tasting notes
- Spring Blossom
- Sweet Honey Tea
- Gentle
Shop Golden Hour$15.00
About the book
How a nearly 70-year-old debut novelist published 2025’s breakout hit
How Allen Levi’s self-published novel became one of the year’s biggest books.
From ‘Mona’s Eyes’ to ‘Theo of Golden’: This Year’s Surprise Hit Novels
Theo of Golden among 2025’s word-of-mouth bestsellers.
Come see us
Hours
- Mon–Thu
- 7am – 6pm
- Fri
- 7am – 7pm
- Sat–Sun
- 8am – 7pm
