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Meet Bert Miller of Classic Rock Coffee & Kitchen

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Bert Miller.

Hi Bert, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I graduated from Navasota High School in 1984, attained the rank of Eagle Scout, and went to Stephen F Austin State and Blinn College. Returned to my hometown and worked at Trinity Industries in sales along with serving on the City of Navasota’s Parks & Rec board and as a member of the Grimes County Jaycees working on community projects and volunteering with the Navasota Grimes County Chamber of Commerce.

I joined the Miller Insurance Agency in 1997 after my grandfather became ill, he was the founder of the agency in 1947, and am a licensed independent insurance agent. in 2005, I ran successfully for city council office, became mayor in 2006, and have served ever since, now approaching over 17 years helping make many strides in the development and growth of Navasota.

In 2016, seeing the lack of any places to eat or drink downtown, I looked into the possibility of opening a coffee shop downtown. Honestly, I started by googling coffee shop franchises, and once I saw information about “Classic Rock Coffee Co”, I was sold (mainly because of the vibe and the buy-in was affordable). I own a building downtown that was at the time an antique mall and decided to take the plunge!

Well, the “coffee shop” turned into a restaurant, “Classic Rock Coffee Co & Kitchen” and has provided a great venue to support other downtown businesses, keeping folks downtown rather than going out to the “loop” or leaving town. We also invested in Hwy 6 advertising to bring folks downtown.  The shop made it through Covid and has provided great coffee and eats for over 6 years now. In recent years, the city has attracted great investment and now boasts numerous boutiques, gift & decor shops, a boutique hotel, two new restaurants, a wine bar, a rooftop bar, a bookstore, and more.

I enjoy being at the coffee shop as much as I can, to get to meet new residents and tourists that visit Navasota. I LOVE my hometown and the folks here are so close-knit and welcoming. Navasota, “So Much So Close” see also www.classicrocknavasota.com (link to menu, order online, order gift card, reserve a table) www.visitnavasota.com, www.navasotatx.gov, www.texasbirthdaybash.com & www.millerinsurancetexas.com.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Getting into the restaurant business is tough and I knew it going in, but I saw the need and wanted to make it happen. Obviously, Covid was a struggle and we had to cut payroll but we have bounced back! Being the mayor also has had its “bumps in the road” (literally, ha) but Navasota has prospered over the time I have served and I am very proud of where we are today, as well as where we are headed.

We’ve been impressed with Classic Rock Coffee Co & Kitchen, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I own a coffee shop/cafe in Navasota called Classic Rock Coffee Co & Kitchen which opened in October 2016. I opened it to provide for a need in Navasota, especially in the downtown area that needed a place to eat & drink, among the retailers and offices in the area. I have a manager but I like to help out in the shop, especially on the weekends to meet people and help with the growth of the city by welcoming new residents and encouraging visitors to spend time here.

We have become a destination, which was the main goal I had when we opened—not just a place to get great food & drink, but a place you actually “google” search for!  I am most proud of the quality of our coffee, which is said in many reviews that is it the best they have had. We are known most for the “vibe” that we have at the shop, playing classic rock music while enjoying a menu with popular items like the Texas Waffle, Warpig & Chicken Bacon Guac flatbread sandwich, chicken salad, & the Thunderstruck Burger and our great frappes & lattes. Also, we offer teas, smoothies, protein shakes, and traditional coffee drinks. We roast our coffee that is sourced from Brazil, Guatemala, Ethiopia & Columbia.

A feature that we like to share is that we also have a music shop called “Blues Alley” where you can find guitars, ukuleles, harmonicas, Vintage LPs & 45s. There is also a huge music mural in the alley beside the store that honors many different genres of music, many of the artists from this local area. See also https://navasotamusicmural.blogspot.com/p/views-of-the.html

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Learned we don’t ever want to experience “Covid-19” EVER again!! Just was not good for business.  I also have learned that folks are truly looking for an experience, not just a place to get coffee.  With that said, we do our best to offer top quality food & drink, choices, great service, and a place to enjoy themselves

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