March 2026 Edition

March 2026 Edition | Community Spotlight

If you've been living in or around Mint Hill and somehow haven't made your way to Forest Trail House yet, we're about to change your life a little. And if you're new to the area and wondering where the locals actually go — well, you just found it.

Tucked along Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Forest Trail House is the kind of place that Mint Hill has needed for a long time: a creative, welcoming, unpretentious gathering spot that works equally well as a quiet morning coffee stop, a lunchtime hangout, a date night destination, and a weekend evening out — sometimes all in the same day.

It's a coffee shop by morning. A wine bar by evening. And a true community hub every hour in between.

The story behind Forest Trail House is one of those genuinely feel-good origin stories, so stick with us for a minute.

Owners Colin and Kristen Hughes moved from a small community in a suburb of Los Angeles and arrived in Mint Hill in late 2020 — making it the first place they chose to call home as a family, the place where they'd raise their daughter, and the place where they'd plant a business.

Back in California, their local coffee shop meant everything to them. Colin — a comedian and writer — would spend hours there working on material. Kristen, who founded Sew Social, a sewing and community enterprise, was fueled by iced vanilla lattes from that same spot. Those experiences shaped their vision for what a gathering place could and should be.

When they arrived in Mint Hill and realized no place like that existed here, they didn't just wish for it — they built it.

And they continue building it. That DIY spirit is everywhere at Forest Trail House, from the hand-curated drink menu to the thoughtfully arranged space to the philosophy that drives every decision they make. As they put it on their website, "every recipe is a living document" — every specialty latte, cold brew, cocktail, wine, or beer has been tested, tasted, and tweaked with real care.

Even the space itself has earned its character. Forest Trail House operates out of a 108-year-old house — a space that has, at various points in its life, served as a photo studio, a spa, and even a funeral parlor. Yes, really. And somehow, with warm lighting, thoughtful design, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the air, it feels like exactly where you'd want to spend a Tuesday morning or a Friday night.

That's not an accident. The Hughes family has put real intention into making every corner of that old house feel like, as they say, an extension of your own home. There's something almost magical about sipping a locally sourced latte in a room that has held so many lives and stories before yours.

Here's something that surprises a lot of first-timers: Forest Trail House isn't just a coffee shop. Not by a long shot.

Think of it as a coffee shop by day and a wine bar by night, featuring natural wines, local craft beers, and handmade cocktails — along with light fare served from open to close. They also boast the largest selection of natural wines in Mint Hill.

Whether your thing is an early morning cortado, a midday boba, a freshly squeezed lemonade with your kid in tow, or a glass of natural wine while you decompress after work, Forest Trail House has a lane for you.

On the food side, they freshly bake all of their pastries and muffins in-house and proudly serve Family Dough Bagels — from a local partner right down the road. They're also currently working on a new food trailer that promises to expand their breakfast offerings significantly — something worth watching for in the coming months.

The cocktail menu is creative and seasonal, the kind of list that makes you want to try one of everything rather than defaulting to your usual order. Past specials have included themed "broken heart" drinks and other inventive concoctions that show the kitchen takes its fun seriously.

If there's one thing that has become a beloved Mint Hill institution in a short period of time, it might just be Questions with Colin — the weekly trivia night hosted by co-owner Colin Hughes himself.

Colin brings real credentials to the hosting chair: he's performed stand-up at The Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store, The Improv, and dozens of venues across the U.S. He brings that same quick-witted energy to trivia night, which runs weekly on Thursday evenings and has developed a loyal following of regulars who simply refuse to miss it. (As one Yelp reviewer put it: "We have a blast at 'Questions with Colin' every Thursday evening; if you know, you know.")

It's free-spirited, it's funny, and it's a genuinely great way to meet your neighbors. Teams of all sizes are welcome — whether you're a group of six competitive regulars or a table-of-one who just wants to get out of the house and test your knowledge. Check their social media for current event times and any theme nights.

One of the most impressive things about Forest Trail House isn't on the menu. It's the way this family has thrown itself into Mint Hill's community life with both arms.

Fundraiser Trivia Nights — In addition to the weekly trivia, Colin has hosted special charity trivia events to raise money for local causes. A music trivia fundraiser benefiting Mint Hill Middle School's PTSA drew teams from across the community, with prize packages from local businesses awarded to the top finishers — and all ticket proceeds going directly to the school. That's the kind of partnership between a local business and the community that makes a town feel like a real town.

Mint Thrill Halloween Bash — Last October, Forest Trail House hosted a 21+ Halloween event featuring music, games, prizes, and themed drink specials — followed the very next day by a free Kids Costume Parade and Party, beginning at Mint Hill Town Hall and parading down to Forest Trail where free crafts, games, and a photo booth awaited families. Two events, two generations, one weekend — that's a business that understands the full fabric of its community.

Anti-Valentine's Day — Not everyone loves Valentine's Day, and Forest Trail House sees you. Their annual Anti-Valentine's Day evening — with low lighting, emo vibes, all-black dress code encouraged, and "broken heart" drink specials — has become a cheeky, beloved tradition for those who'd rather commiserate than celebrate.

This is what it looks like when business owners genuinely love the town they live in.

Reviews across Google, Yelp, and Facebook paint a pretty consistent picture. People come for the coffee and stay for the community. Reviewers frequently highlight that Forest Trail House hosts numerous events, supports the community, and is simply "a great place with great people."

Forest Trail House is regularly cited as one of the local shops and eateries that fosters a strong sense of community in Mint Hill — no small thing in a town that's grown rapidly but worked hard to hold onto its small-town character.

New neighbors especially: if you're still figuring out where you fit in Mint Hill, walking through the door at Forest Trail House is one of the best first moves you can make.

Address: 7201 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, Mint Hill, NC 28227

Hours: Monday – Thursday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 6:00 AM – 9:30 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 9:30 PM Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Order Online: Available at foresttrailhouse.com or through DoorDash for delivery

Follow Along:

Their social media is the best place to catch current event announcements, weekly trivia reminders, seasonal drink drops, and the occasional cheeky behind-the-scenes post from Colin and Kristen. Give them a follow — you won't regret it.

Mint Hill is growing fast. New neighborhoods, new faces, new businesses. But in the middle of all that growth, Forest Trail House has quietly become the town's living room — the place where you run into someone you know, where strangers become regulars, and where a cup of coffee can stretch into a two-hour conversation if you let it.

Colin and Kristen Hughes didn't just open a coffee shop. They built the place they wished had existed when they moved here — and in doing so, they built something Mint Hill is better for having.

If you haven't been yet, go this week. Order something you've never tried before. Stay a little longer than you planned.

That's the whole point.

Know a local business, community hero, or hidden gem that deserves a spotlight in The Matthews Pulse? Reply to this email and tell us about it. We're always looking for the next great story.

Share this with a neighbor — the more people who know about what's happening in our community, the stronger we all are.

© 2026 The Matthews Pulse. Proudly serving the Matthews & Mint Hill community.

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