The Coffee Shop Northeast, named for its Minneapolis neighborhood, recently wrapped up an expansion project that more than doubled its square footage.
Rich Horton, an owner of the coffee shop, says the expansion was much needed. “We were getting so busy, we were packed and there’d be no place to sit,” he says.
That, along with the idea of growing the business, prompted the owners to take over the space that opened up when the neighboring tenant,
EMI Audio, moved to Robbinsdale. The additional room, which gives the coffee shop over 2,000 square feet compared with the 800 square feet it had before, allows for occasional events, such as poetry readings and live music.
A physical separation between the old and new space gives people the flexibility to take part in events or to choose a quieter nook.
In addition to new tables and chairs and couches, a 12-seat community table has already turned out to be popular among large groups.
The coffee shop was able to expand its kitchen and add storage space as well. Horton says that food items have been more in demand than he would’ve guessed when they were added to the offerings at the coffee shop, which the owners took over from Audubon Coffee two years ago.
The shop also added a decorative brick wall, which gives it a more finished look, he says.
The newer area is yellow and a light shade of brown, creating a subtle change in mood from the storefront area, which is green and brown, according to Horton.
Although he couldn’t give an exact figure, the project, it totaled more than $50,000, he says.
“We’re really happy with how it turned out,” he says, adding that feedback from the community has been positive.
Source: Rich Horton, co-owner, Coffee Shop Northeast
Writer: Anna Pratt