About us

Founded in 2018 on historic Dickerson Pike, Retrograde set out to be more than a café — a true neighborhood coffee stop. A place to gather, connect, and spark ideas. What began as a local hangout quickly became a creative hub for neighbors, professionals, and artists alike. Today, Retrograde has three locations--East Nashville, Germantown, and West Nashville.

From Multi-Roaster to Roaster

In the early days, we served coffees from roasters we admired. In 2021, we began roasting our own coffees. Today, our sister company, Lightspeed Coffee, roasts in small batches, crafting coffees for both our cafés and a growing list of wholesale partners in Nashville and beyond.

Our Coffee

At Lightspeed Coffee — our sister roasting company — we source coffees that turn heads. Each batch is roasted to amplify what’s already inside the bean: wild brightness, lush sweetness, and lingering depth. No shortcuts. No filler. Just coffees that hit with clarity, balance, and flavor.

People Behind Retrograde

Retrograde is led by longtime friends and collaborators: Steve Mabee, Nathan Weinberg, Davey Rowe-Mabee, and Kelly Boutwell. Together, they bring years of experience, creativity, and a shared obsession with coffee and community to each of their cafes.

Retrograde was founded on a passion for building community. Each cafe is meant to be a neighborhood stop-and a reflection of each community it supports. Coffee is central to so much of what we do in life. It's a conversation starter, a reason to meet, a moment of quiet reflection and a savory way to start our day. In addition to distinctive roasted coffees, our cafes serve up fresh bagels and Dozen Bakery pastries, among a wide range of elevated breakfast and lunch menu items.