the former home of Movie Magic, and the drive-through business is open, under new ownership and with a new name, The Ravell’d Sleeve Espresso Bar.
The business, which opened last week, will offer coffee from the three coffee-growing regions of the world: Latin America, Indonesia and Africa, each with its own district flavor, according to Ken Drew, who owns the new business with his wife Sarah.
“We’d like to try to highlight the best of the best,” he said.
At many coffee shops, Ken said, when people order their coffee, they expect it to taste just like the cup they ordered there the day before. But at this business, customers can do that, or they can try different types of coffees, just as they might with beer at a pub or brew house.
“I’d love to introduce people to a new way of looking at coffee,” he said.
Now, only the drive-through is open, though inside the building during Friday’s art walk, the Drews offered a cupping, an event they said they would like to continue. Eventually, they hope to create a sit-down business inside. They also offer high-quality teas, and their vision, Ken said, includes scattered tables with glass teapots being warmed by tea lights under them, which was a feature of other coffee shops he has overseen.
“It’s very romantic,” he said. “Very beautiful.”
For their new endeavor, the Drews have invested in what they say is a premium Italian espresso machine, made by Nuova Simonelli; only three such machines currently operate in North America.
Now a consultant and working from home in addition to starting this business, Ken previously worked in a variety of positions in the coffee industry. It was an industry they both missed, Sarah said, and when this opportunity became available, they took it. They have a six-month lease, and when that time is up, they say they hope to renew their lease or buy the building.
“We were really excited to jump back into the coffee business,” she said. “This has been a lifelong dream of ours.”