A year after plans were unveiled and after years of dreaming, the flagship location of La Colombe was opened to the public on Monday with little to-do.
Co-founder J.P. Iberti just unlocked the door around 7 a.m. this morning — and customers started pouring in.
“Look at this space!” Iberti said in between bussing plates and chatting with customers. “It was a cave when we got it.”
The 11,000-square-foot cafe at Frankford Avenue and Master Street is almost completely lit by a massive window facing the street.
Towards the back are La Colombe’s new corporate offices, a distillery for La Colombe’s aged rum, and an area for educational classes about coffee.
On the menu are hot sandwiches, breads, salads, tartines, and La Colombe’s signature coffee. Coffee beans are for sale, as are bottles of rum, carafes, mugs, espresso makers and coffee grinders.
“It’s all around coffee but the bakery is a big part,” Iberti said. “We’re not a restaurant. Before everything, we’re a bakery and cafe. I want to do a few things extremely well.”
Customers inside the shop on it’s first day were pleased with the experience.
“I got my baguette, now I’m going to make chicken parm,” said Jason Petrasant, 30.
“All we have is Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks or prepared food stores around here. It’s gonna be awesome to have fresh baked bread,” he said.
“I think it’s sweet, it’s beautiful, I love the atmosphere,” said Michelle Robinson, 30.
