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A teaser sign for Impero Coffee recently appeared in the window of the former Cuppy’s Coffee shop located in the Dakota Building in the Short North. They’ve also got a teaser website that includes little information aside from a date of December 5th, 2009, which is to be assumed as their target opening date.
Does anyone have any other details on what to expect of the newest entry into the Short North Coffee Shop market?
@Jon . It’s a bar / coffee shop. People smoke. In fact some of the best personal time you get with a barista is on their smoke break. Having said that because they are trying to sell food it might be best to have a side entrance only smoking policy for employees to make the non-smoking crowd happy while they are eating.
The food could use a healthy smack of Liz Lessner’s magic stick. It’s hard to compete in the food category in that neighborhood unless you really perfect your menu to death. I think a good range of soups, salads and sandwiches is all that’s needed at Moejoe. Fair prices with yummy “normal” menu items might be the best way to succeed.
I’ve been to moejoe for lunch a few times and once in the afternoon for dinner. I remember the menu having a few options that were all just a little different than want I wanted. ( This may be overthinking it… ) I am no food expert though so I couldn’t say why. The food I did order I was happy enough with. I just wanted real options to go back for. This was a year or so ago so the menu might have changed. I know it’s difficult to make a menu that satisfies everyone and perhaps just a tiny bit of tweaking over time could suffice.
I wonder how many people go to moejoe for the food?
I like moejoe for the patio, coffee and muffins.
I had heard it was still under the same ownership but that they’d escaped the franchise, anyone else?
love mojoe. great customer service/staff, neighborhood atmosphere that cuppy’s could never capture, and decent, quick food at a decent price.
They’re already off to a rocky start–3 weeks to open and they’ve yet to get anything passed or approved by the Dakota building, including signs. As it stands, they’d better be roasting their coffee off-site, as that space has no ventilation. A liquor permit will not be approved for this location, either.
All of these items were presented to the owner of Cuppy’s son–and EXPRESSLY emphasized before they even made an attempt to lease to these new folks. Ignoring the rules of the building, causing traffic problems for residents and illegal dumping will not be tolerated this go round as the Board will address this particular item during their monthly meeting tomorrow night.
The only meeting they’ll have prior to the opening of said coffee shop.
And the operators of Imperio themselves are nowhere on the agenda. That’s a friendly “Head’s Up!” shout-out to the owners if they’re still reading this….. Cuppy’s was a nightmare for the Dakota on multiple levels–one the residents are not eagar to repeat. So far, the lack of communication does not bode well…
@Bwahaha, we would love to be in contact with you as to any concerns that you may have with our business. Our intent is not to get off to the wrong foot with you. We are not requesting a liquor permit. We already have an off site roasting facility in Columbus, and will not be trying to roast on site, as we know well the issues related with roasting. I would love to sit down and talk with you at one of your meetings. If you would like to share any concerns with me, you can contact me by email at admin@imperocoffee.com
I mean seriously? Do we really need another coffee shop? Not that I don’t like coffee or coffee shops but didn’t the Starbucks down the street just go under? Can’t we get something else in the fast casual dining arena in this area? Chipotle, Noodles & Co., City Bbq, Penn Station to name a few. I really want to spend money on High street somewhere other than a bar, Northstar, Haiku, Press Grill, and La Fogata. Everything else is overpriced or sells nothing I am interested in – $200 jeans or artisan cheeses anyone?
$200 jeans and artisanal cheeses brings people, recognition and money into that district. So what you don’t find valuable, others do. My understanding with Starbucks was that it was more of internal thing than anything to do with the ability of a coffee shop to succeed in the SN. When your business model consists of saturating the market and closing local businesses, is it any wonder that it fails?
Since we have no details, it’s a little early too assume much. One promise mentioned above is good, inexpensive food. So maybe we will have another fast casual food source. Too early to judge.
And there is no such thing as too much coffee…
With Starbucks and Cuppy’s both recently closed, it sounds like Impero is not “just another coffee shop”. It’s replacing something that has recently left.
As far as “fast casual” goes, I think you can find similar types of affordable and relatively quick dining in the area… just not much in variety of those specific chains mentioned. Which I don’t think is an entirely bad thing.
I mean… if you really want Chipotle, it’s not far to go a mile north to campus or a mile south to the Arena District, right?
Ms. Timple – are you serious or joking? I can’t tell.
We did have a Quiznos in the hood. That couldn’t make it. Nor could Cold Stone Creamery, which is no surprise. Both were pedigreed chains.
Regarding Starbucks. They haven’t given up on the Short North. I’ve heard several solid rumors they are looking for space in the Short North. Their business was fine. I’m assuming someone finally determined that $5,200/ month for 800 sq. ft. in the Yukon was excessive.
here are just afew thoughts i have after reading through everyone’s comments
-we really need some kind of quick sandwich shop or something in the short north. yes, chipotle is relatively close but i live in the short north because i don’t want to drive everywhere i go.
-quiznos didnt make it becasue the rent is ridiculous in the cap. starbucks closed because it was relatively not profitable enough and the parent company cut out a couple hundred stores nationwide. if it were a franchised store, it would still be there.
-the owner of cuppies is not the owner of impero, however he still owns the space cuppies was in and is not renting to the owners of impero (im only about 75% sure about this one).
-i used to go to cuppies a lot so i have a strong opinion as to why it closed. they had mediocre coffee, an aweful and uninviting interior and pointless food. somehow they lasted quite a while. if impero is better they should have no problem competing with the other coffee shops in the area.
-i actually dont think there are that many coffee shops in the short north. travonna and cup a joe are just about one mile apart and i live right in the middle. personally i dont want to walk a half mile to a coffee. im completely fine with another coffee shop can go in where cuppies was.
Blurred Says: we really need some kind of quick sandwich shop or something in the short north.
Does it have to be on High Street? Because if not… the neighborhood already has a pretty damn good one.
Thanks for all the comments! All will certainly be looked at with consideration! And I assure you we dont want there to be a cuppy’s 3.0 as well.. Just a heads up… We are in no way connected with cuppy’s… the Franchise or Family! We are just simply local people that is bringing what we do best and love, to you! We have been at roasting for sometime now, and we look forward to growing with you all down town! True Gourmet Coffee, art and culture is what is on our agenda… and is what we plan on delivering! Thanks again for all the comments! stay tuned to our web site… A lot will be posted after this weekend! We just simply wanted to get some signs up for November’s Ghop to create some buzz and to create an anticipation that we are confident that we will fulfill!
I’m with you Walker.
Also, jesus – do we really need Chipotle or any other fast food in the Short North? You’d then have people bitching because the places didn’t have a drive-through and they’d have to get our of their car.
ah yes, cafe corner. actually, i’ve lived in the short north for 3 years now and i have never made it there. that is a great point.. maybe ill try it out tomorrow for lunch. any recommendations?… sorry off topic.
but anyways, yes, i agree i am much happier with local stuff like impero over chipotle (although i love it).
Jon: I’m picking nits, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Chipotle with a drive-through. ;)
Blurred: The Swiss Melt (bacon, artichoke hearts, sauteed onions, amish swiss, and dijon horseradish on sourdough) is my go-to sandwich there, although there are others that are quite good as well.
And now I’m off topic too… ;) Personally, I’m not much of a true coffee drinker… more of a fancy flavored mixed expresso drink type of coffee drinker. So as long as they have something like that for me, I’ll be sure to stop in and check the place out sometime soon after opening. ;)
Walker – good call. Shows how much I go to Chipotle.
I’ll definitely give Impero a few trys.
Are we forgetting Kickstart? And Chipotle, I do not need a rice burrito chain in the Short North. I still don’t get the love for that chain.
yeah, i thought of that later actually… i did forget kickstart. i love chipotle, but im significantly more fond of local entrepreneurs such impero giving it a go. i think i would be happy if the short north committee disallowed any chains from moving into the short north from here out. i know it sounds extreme at first but there are actually quite a few historic districts around the country that don’t allow this to happen.
as far as kickstart though, they dont really have food besides a few pastry items. if impero has legit food options ike they say, i welcome it with open arms.