Paul West never asked to run a coffee shop, but in his words, “it just fell into my lap.”
He co-managed Café Kopi with neighbor and business owner Jennifer Isaacson for six years. When Isaacson moved out of state, West decided to buy and take over the café at 109 N. Walnut Street as opposed to abandoning Kopi altogether.
“Coffee shop people tend to like routine; it’s comforting,” West said. “Some people like it a lot. We didn’t want this place to change.”
Isaacson and West developed Café Kopi 20 years ago next to Isaacson’s dress shop, Circles. According to West, Isaacson thought the espresso bar would complement the dress shop well. After women stopped by Circles to shop for jewelry, they could “treat themselves to a cappuccino” at Kopi.
After the café’s creation, West wanted to preserve its original atmosphere.
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Perhaps Café Kopi’s most notable update was its expansion into Circles’ vacant building after the shop moved to Neil Street, roughly doubling in size.
West said the renovation is a work in progress.
Café Kopi still has its old light fixtures, wooden floors and radiators.
“I didn’t want to change everything right away,” West said. “This room is still the same. I wanted to keep it the way it was 20 years ago.”
A routine-lover himself, West said that the best part about owning Kopi is coming into work every morning knowing that he can get a coffee and a bagel and see familiar faces.
“There is something comforting to be able to come in here,” West said. “It’s … just your classic, cozy neighborhood coffee shop. I think it is a second home to a lot of people.”
During winter, the peppermint mocha becomes part of the “cozy neighborhood coffee shop experience.” Prepared with two shots of espresso, steamed milk, peppermint syrup and chocolate sauce, the drink is adorned with whipped cream. The customer also has the choice to add crushed peppermint candy to the drink.
For West, the peppermint shavings even add a playful dimension.
“If you’re going to get mocha with whipped cream, why not be a kid for a month and add sprinkles?” West said. “Indulge.”
Lyanne can be reached at [email protected].
