A new coffee shop has found a nest in the CO+HOOTS coworking space at 11th and Washington streets, with a grand opening scheduled for Monday.
Greater Than Coffee is the latest company to take up residence in CO+HOOTS. They offer a wide selection of boutique teas, coffees and assorted baked goods.
“We wanted to get really good coffee and products,” co-founder Tricky Burns said. “But we wanted the shop to be greater than coffee.”
The storefront cafe is technically independent of CO+HOOTS, but still embraces the coworking mentality.
CO+HOOTS founder Jenny Poon said CO+HOOTS interviewed eight cafe owners before deciding on the right match. In the end, Greater Than Coffee’s owners shared CO+HOOTS’ passion for the community and coworking, and a business model with longevity, Poon said.
“For the longest time, everybody has said building a coffee shop within a coworking space is hazardous,” Poon said. “The difference is we had the coworking environment established and we’re not operating the coffee shop, we’re supporting the coffee shop.”
CO+HOOTS-based firm Eeko worked on graphic designs for Greater Than Coffee’s brand identity and the CO+HOOTS operations team assisted with their social media outreach. Every member of the coworking space spread the news about Greater Than Coffee through word of mouth, Poon said.
The coffee shop in turn plans to help greet and serve new coworking visitors and clients, arrange catering for events, bring in foot traffic, serve roughly 60 regular CO+HOOTS visitors and be an active member in the community, Burns said.
“I think if you’re going to be a storefront for a business, you should be connected in a meaningful way,” Burns said.
Almost everything inside comes from local businesses: coffees from Espressions Coffee Roastery, teas from Urban Pioneer Tea, treats from Awesome Cookie Company and baked goods from Strictly from Scratch.
Burns and her business partner, Tanya Moushi, work on a first-name basis with local vendors. These vendors have been incredibly supportive of their launch, donating free products for launch parties and accommodating their developing needs, Burns said.
“It’s a professional relationship, but we’re not just a dollar amount in the bottom line; we’re neighbors,” Burns said. “We save time and money by working with local companies. We have less to learn on our own.”
Two-year CO+HOOTS member Larry Cummings said adding the coffee shop gives the space a comfortable atmosphere to talk with clients and brainstorm ideas.
“You have different conversations over a cup of coffee than you do sitting at a desk or meeting table,” Cummings said.
The cafe is walking distance from the 12th Street light rail station, and a 20-minute walk from the Downtown campus.
During Greater Than Coffee’s grand opening Monday, they will offer 25 percent off all drinks. Their hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Contact the reporter at dbryan3@asu.edu
