Local coffee shop Stauf’s will have a grand opening celebration tonight at their newest location inside the Idea Foundry in Franklinton. The move puts Stauf’s in a place with guaranteed clientele and could allow for the greater community to become more familiar with the co-working space.
Stauf’s President Mark Swanson had been eyeing the neighborhood for a while before the opportunity came up to work with Christopher Celeste, founder of Hatch and owner of the Idea Foundry building.
“Once Christopher showed me the space we could go into and we started talking, it seemed like a great move,” Swanson said.
“They have classes. They have different companies that are actually in the co-work space. Smart City is here — their offices are here. And then we have a neighborhood all around us,” Swanson added. “There’s all kinds of people working at bars and soon-to-be restaurants and residential going up, so we feel like we’re going to be able to get folks from the community as well.”
The 1,000 square foot space takes up the northeast corner of the Idea Foundry’s first floor. Tonight, offerings will be limited to small complimentary samples, but come the official opening, it’ll be a full-service Stauf’s. That includes espresso drinks and coffee, daily fresh-baked goods, and bottled beverages.
Once Stauf’s at the Idea Foundry is established, Swanson will likely move forward on the makeover of the Cup o Joe in Clintonville, 2990 N. High St. Unlike other Cup o Joes, this one won’t be transforming into a Stauf’s. Instead they’ll be redoing the brand identity.
“It’s been around for 20-plus years. I think it’s been fine as a Cup o Joe in that neighborhood for so long, and it’s a great store,” he said. “ think we have a real opportunity to refresh it and do some different things with Cup o Joe.”
While no real details were given, Swanson said he hopes to have the plan for Cup o Joe finalized before the end of 2017.
Stauf’s at the Idea Foundry, located at 421 W. State St., will celebrate its grand opening tonight, August 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. It’s official opening is slated for Monday, August 21.
For more information on the grand opening, visit the event Facebook page.
For more information on Stauf’s, visit staufs.com.