Since 1976, 1854 Coventry Road has served as home base for one coffee company or another. For the first quarter century it housed Arabica. Later, it was home to Caribou. And finally, it reverted back to Arabica.
That reign ended on Sunday, September 1, when Phoenix Coffee closed its doors, thus ending a 76-year run of coffee at that address.
But don’t fret, coffee lovers, Phoenix didn’t go far. At 6 a.m. on Friday, September 6, Phoenix Coffee will reopen in the former home of Delphic Books (1793 Coventry Rd.) at the corner of Hampshire and Coventry.
“The new location is a more sustainable investment,” explains Phoenix CEO Sarah Wilson-Jones.
The new café, located near the northern end of Coventry, will feature décor that employs upcycled and reclaimed materials. Local artwork will adorn the walls. And a new “pourover bar” will be staffed by baristas who brew every cup to order.
To pay tribute to the longstanding Coventry Road “coffeehouse era,” Phoenix will host a Community Candlelit Gathering in the vacant former Coventry Road space tonight, Thursday, September 5, at 7:30 p.m.
“We hope to honor the magic of the past connections and relationships that have been born on Coventry,” adds Wilson-Jones.
This article appears in Sep 4-10, 2013.
since 1976? sounds more like 36 years…not 76 years. #math
Or 37 but who’s subtracting……love great coffee and and the history of Coventry as a great hood but the candlelight vigil is kind of funny – like there’s a religious holiday or something – maybe I missed something in the story about steam from one of the machines forming a religious apparition or something….lol…..good luck at the new location Phoenix – sure it’ll be the best location yet…
they are moving down the street, is this really a story?
also, arabica was up the street where the grog shop is now. The building isnt even 20 years old