Since taking over ownership of the Tremont Place Lofts, owners Graham Veysey, Marika Shioiri-Clark and Michael Panzica have made considerable improvements to the historically significant building, which dates to 1851 when it opened as Cleveland University. By summer’s end the building will be rechristened as the Herald, a return to the time when this structure was home to Herald Publishing. And when it does, it will boast new amenities for both residents and neighbors.
While everybody was too busy having fun on the lawn at Twin Palms at the Spotted Owl, management was readying the lobby for its newest tenant: Rising Star Coffee. Located at 2380 W. 7th Street, the contemporary space will serve both as a retail café for coffee lovers and the lobby for residents.
“This is more in the spirit of an Ace Hotel where you have a lobby that, sure, residents and guests use, but the neighborhood really embraces too,” explains Veysey. “It’s a hybrid model that you don’t really see in Cleveland but you see in a lot of other cities.”
The façade of the building was altered to make room for expansive new windows and doors that will open up to sidewalk seating. Inside, flexible, comfortable seating, a private meeting room and complimentary Wi-Fi will allow guests to work, socialize or just hang out.
Rising Star owner Dawn Fox says that when Veysey approached the company to collaborate once again, the decision was an easy one to make.
“Graham has always been a huge supporter of us and that makes us ultimately feel great to put our trust in that and move forward with something like this,” Fox says. “The building is beautiful, with a lot of history. It’s awesome to see it all come together. I thought it was cool before because I love old buildings but Graham and Marika have a great eye.”
When it opens on or around September 1, this newest Rising Star cafe will offer the full lineup of products, including coffee and food from Cleveland Bagel, Blackbird Bakery and Floressa.
“Each location is pretty unique, so it’s kind of fun to have that,” adds Fox. “It’s not cookie-cutter like the bigger coffee shops.”
This article appears in Aug 11-24, 2021.
