Well Red is opening a brand new location within the venue of the previous espresso store, Coffee Cat, on Tichenor Avenue. The Fox, a brand new business enterprise for Well Red homeowners Richard and Crystal Tomasello, will open round April 15.
Well Red, a espresso store and bookstore on Opelika Road introduced The Fox’s opening on its social media on March 27. The publish defined that Well Red’s story is continuous with the brand new addition of The Fox in Coffee Cat’s venue in April 2024.
The announcement got here per week after Coffee Cat introduced its everlasting closing on March 31. Coffee Cat has been one in all Downtown Auburn’s espresso and pastry staples since 2014. The venue shares the building with The Hound, a well-liked bar and restaurant.
The acquisition of Coffee Cat’s venue would be the third addition to the Tomasellos’ espresso places. They opened the unique Well Red on Opelika Rd in June 2020. After the unique location’s success, the Tomasellos introduced in Sept. 2023 that they had been opening a second location on Donahue Dr, the place they’d share a nook with the Neighborhood Walmart. Richard defined that they hope to open the Donahue Well Red in June 2024.
Maddie Corbeau approached the Tomasellos about shopping for her store after she determined to shut The Coffee Cat.
“I contacted Well Red once I determined that it was time, as a result of I could not think about a greater match on this house.” Corbeau defined. “I do know them very properly. Richard and Crystal are good buddies of mine, and we labored collectively just a little bit at first of the dream levels of Well Red, as a result of we’ve the identical favourite bookstore and cafe in Asheville, North Carolina.”
“We’ve all the time liked this place. Maddie helped us really. She consulted with us on the espresso aspect of issues and shopping for gear and type of the coaching and all for this place,” Richard Tomasello stated. “We’ve identified her for years and you realize, she actually helped Well Red at first, so we have all the time had an incredible relationship together with her.”
The Tomasellos plan to open The Fox round April 15 after two weeks of renovation on the Coffee Cat venue. Their third location will take a special strategy from their authentic espresso and bookstore mannequin. Instead of promoting books, The Fox plans to additional promote its coffees, teas and pastries.
Richard defined that they need The Fox to differentiate itself otherwise from the 2 Well Red places. He stated that since there’s already a Downtown Auburn bookstore, Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers, The Fox won’t promote new books. To keep away from taking customers away from The Hound, The Fox can even not serve beer or wine.
The venue is on Tichenor Ave, with the City Parking Deck adjoining. Richard defined that they’re nonetheless discussing The Fox’s weekday and weekend hours. With Coffee Cat, many patrons appreciated the store staying open till 1:00 a.m. on Fridays and the weekends.
“We’re nonetheless understanding the the hours and issues like that, as a result of the Coffee Cat did late nights. And you realize, that’s one thing utterly completely different than I believe anyone else coffee-wise is doing on the town and every part,” Richard stated. “We’ve had a few of their regulars strategy us. They’ve approached us and tried to pitch us on retaining these hours going.”
The Coffee Cat additionally bought merchandise from native artists and distributors. Richard defined they’re evaluating the thought for The Fox. He stated that since they’re in partnership with The Hound, the venue might be used as further house for giant personal occasions held by The Hound.
Depending on the house available after renovation, distributors could possibly promote their merchandise, however Richard defined that that will be deliberate later. Also undecided is the destiny of music performances held on the venue, a well-liked prevalence at Coffee Cat.
For The Fox, lots of Coffee Cat’s earlier staff will work for the brand new espresso store. Richard stated that he and his spouse are assembly with staff of The Coffee Cat and seeing in the event that they’d wish to work at The Fox.
“There are a few them which can be graduating in May, and so with us shutting down for 2 weeks to do type of minor renovations, a few of them have stated the timing simply would not work.” Richard stated. “So we all know that we’ll lose a few them and we’re simply attempting to determine what sort of staffing [is needed] there. But there might be a variety of the identical faces there for certain.”
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Numerous prospects, musicians, staff and college students stuffed the Coffee Cat venue through the farewell social gathering on the night of March 29. Local acts Bedhead, Molly Mac, Varsity Blues and Weary Pursuit carried out on the occasion. Corbeau additionally gave a farewell speech to onlookers, and staff talked about their expertise working at Coffee Cat.
Corbeau revealed that the shop’s employees held the social gathering and commemoration.
“It’s simply actually stunning. I’m having to take breathers and are available exterior on my own and acquire myself really.” Corbeau stated.
Musician Bedhead, whose actual identify is Isaac Keller, opened the farewell social gathering with himself on the acoustic guitar and vocals, bassist Trion Fancher and drummer Crawford Merk. Bedhead has carried out quite a few instances at Coffee Cat.
As he carried out his single, “The Flowering of a Person,” Bedhead recalled his expertise acting at Coffee Cat all through the years.
“Coffee Cat simply type of gave me a place the place I might play how I needed or really feel how I needed. It actually gave me an area the place I might type of develop into my music.” Keller reminisced. “Maddie has all the time been supportive of me and my music and numerous others.”
Molly Mac wrote a tribute music for Coffee Cat and sang it as the ultimate music of her set. She had the gang assist her carry out the music.
“Thank you, Maddie, thanks, Coffee Cat, for all of your generosity. We will not neglect, […]” Molly Mac sang, “as a result of this espresso store has rescued me. ”
As acts carried out, Corbeau informed the viewers to seize a free ebook earlier than they left. Plants, vases, and different knickknacks had been additionally up for grabs.
After seeing the outpouring of affection for The Coffee Cat on the store’s farewell announcement, Richard and his spouse hope to maintain offering that house for the patrons.
“There’s lots of people which have fond reminiscences of it, and love and [will] miss it, and we perceive that. And hopefully we will, you realize, be an area for all these folks and type of proceed what she’s [Corbeau] accomplished,” he stated.
For Corbeau, the joy lies in seeing what the Tomasellos will do with the venue.
“Them coming right here and mainly taking up our lease is greatest case state of affairs,” Corbeau stated. “I could not think about anybody else being right here, and I’m excited to see what they do with the place.”
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