RedEye Coffee, a beloved Tallahassee staple, is starting a new chapter, under the ownership of someone who knows it well. Jason McArthur, former RedEye team member and current owner of Argonaut Coffee, has purchased the brand that helped shape his early journey in hospitality. This full-circle moment is more than just a business deal, it’s a story rooted in community, coffee, and the shared mission of serving others.
Jason, who worked at RedEye for nearly seven years before launching Argonaut in 2019, is still wrapping his head around the transition. “It’s honestly hard to describe,” he says. “It is such a full-circle moment, but also one that I would not have truly believed possible, and certainly not only six years after leaving.”
The growth of Argonaut now includes RedEye locations, and fans of both coffee shops can breathe a sigh of relief, beloved RedEye classics aren’t going anywhere. “The main evolution is combining the best aspects of both of our businesses,” Jason explains. “We’ll be keeping plenty of RedEye’s signature drinks and food items as we slowly merge our two shops.”
Even more exciting? Argonaut is returning to Midtown, by way of the RedEye Midtown location. “We just can’t seem to stay away,” Jason jokes. “Midtown will be getting some much-needed love in the way of furniture upgrades, and eventually the goal is to rebrand everything as Argonaut. We’re planning some renovations to create a warm and inviting aesthetic that stays true to Midtown as a welcoming spot for everyone.”
The story of this acquisition, however, begins with Barby Moro, former RedEye owner and current CEO of Independence Landing, a residential community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (like autism, down syndrome, and cerebral palsy). She and Jason first worked together in 2018–2019, a time Jason says helped him grow as a leader. “Barby really pushed me. She saw my potential, and it soon became clear that the next step in my journey was to go off on my own. I’m so grateful for her push that eventually led me back all these years later.”
Barby echoed that sentiment. “Jason’s commitment to building community through coffee and shared experiences was evident from the first moment I met him. It was so clear that he believed in providing great customer service while treating each guest as family and not a transaction. That’s always been the RedEye way and became the Argonaut way. He’s a local Tallahassean that stayed to continue building his life here and became a successful small business owner. He loves Tallahassee and I’m so grateful our paths have continued to cross.”
When Independence Landing’s board decided to refocus on their core mission and enter a capital campaign for Phase 2 expansion, selling RedEye became part of the conversation. But Barby wasn’t ready to let the brand leave local hands. “We entered conversations with various parties outside Tallahassee,” she says, “but then I said, before we commit, let me see if we can keep this local. I know a guy.” That guy, of course, was Jason.
Barby adds, “This isn’t just a business for him – this is a way that he is giving back and serving his hometown that he adores. As a former employee who truly understands the ‘RedEye way’, loves community, and is a believer in what we are doing at IL, this couldn’t have been more perfect”
In a city built on connection, the RedEye–Argonaut merger reminds us that when community is at the heart of a business, the impact lasts far beyond the last cup of coffee.
Find Argonaut Coffee at: https://www.argonautcoffee.com/
Find RedEye Coffee at: https://redeyecoffee.com/
Find Independence Landing at: https://www.independencelanding.org/
