Press Coffee Roasters held the grand opening of its new location in downtown Phoenix on Friday, Oct. 8. The new store makes it the ninth of the locally owned cafés in the Valley.
Located on the corner of Van Buren and Second streets, the shop will continue the Press tradition of serving high-quality coffee and coffee-based drinks from imported beans roasted in Phoenix.
For now, the new location will offer its signature beverages, including limited-time pumpkin spice drinks, as well as a small selection of pastries. Store manager Sarah Nikkel said the kitchen won’t be completed for at least another six months, taking breakfast and lunch offerings off the menu for a while.
“I’m really excited. I don’t know exactly what to expect,” said store manager Sarah Nikkel. “But there have been people saying they’re setting up meetings here and are finally going to be coming here, so we’re expecting a madhouse, just not yet.”
Nikkel, who has worked around at various Press Coffee locations, has noticed a huge difference in the customers, personalities and communication styles in the downtown setting.
She said that she’s already encountered a diverse crowd of professionals, nurses, runners, students and families with children.
Regulars from the now-closed Press location on Central Avenue have also begun to make the transition to the new store.
Britnie Hornsby, who works in the downtown Phoenix area, said she had been patiently waiting for the grand opening of the new location. A graduate of the Northern Arizona University-Phoenix Biomedical Campus, she also acknowledged the appeal of a conveniently located coffee shop to students in the area.
“I’m sad that this store isn’t as close to my work,” said Hornsby. “But this is really cool.”
Other than the difference in atmosphere, Nikkel said the design of the shop reflects the modern style of other Press locations. Her favorite features are the floor-to-ceiling windows for their people-watching potential.
The 1,800 square-foot space, located on the first floor of the 200 EVB building, features bar and table seating along with its own guest bathroom.
“The shop has a cool little vibe. It’s light, and it’s clean,” said Mike Fitch, a Florida man who stumbled upon the opening during his business trip to Phoenix. “The beans are good, the taste is good. I’m a coffee snob, and it’s good.”
Press EVB is celebrating its opening with a multi-day promotion for $1 drip coffee to benefit Pawsitive Friendships, a local nonprofit that provides Animal Assisted Therapy to children with special needs.
Pawsitive Friendships plans on using the money raised from opening events to add new therapy animals to their organization and provide them with uniforms and supplies to use at therapy visits, said Tosha Tharp-Gaitanis, founder and CEO of the nonprofit.
Press highlights its community engagement through philanthropy as part of its mission statement. Stores sell a Constant Community Blend to benefit a different charity each month, Nikkel said.
More events and promotions will likely be announced soon, Nikkel said.
Contact the reporter ahobson2@asu.edu.
