Posted 7:39 pm Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Coffee Lounge Perks Up Downtown
By LEIGH VICKERY
Food Editor
The sounds of Pandora's Ray LaMontagne channel fill the air, setting the tone for downtown's newest, most enjoyable destination for Tylerites seeking a high-end cup of coffee or fresh-baked pastry.
Food Editor
The sounds of Pandora's Ray LaMontagne channel fill the air, setting the tone for downtown's newest, most enjoyable destination for Tylerites seeking a high-end cup of coffee or fresh-baked pastry.
Downtown Coffee Lounge's doors have only been opened a few days, but already the corner of College and Erwin has been transformed into a cool, one-of-a-kind destination in Tyler.
Kimberly Mabry imagined the lounge as a downtown destination for people to gather and enjoy great coffee, breakfast or a pastry made by local artisans and producers. She and her husband, architect Ron Mabry, are committed to the revitalization of downtown Tyler, as well as encouraging the growth and success of as many local entrepreneurs as possible.
The lounge serves Tyler's own Distant Lands coffee for its countless coffee drinks, baked goods from local bakeries and many other unique items, such as the hip and delicious Mary Louise Butter brownies from Austin. Tyler's Ganache bakery provides all kinds of goodies, including their signature cupcakes, muffins, cookies and shortbread. Mrs. Mabry's own homemade granola is also available with Greek yogurt, berries and honey.
Mrs. Mabry plans to showcase more local food artisans in the future. She constantly rotates the menu to ensure the best, freshest items are offered. Mrs. Mabry's creativity also keeps her searching for just the right tastes to accompany the main focus, the coffee.
“Tyler has many wonderful local people making wonderful foods,” Mrs. Mabry said. “We want to find these people and offer the best each has to offer to our customers.”
The Mabrys are also dedicated to highlighting the work of local artists, using the architectural walls as backdrops for incredible pieces of art. The Mabrys have an outside person who selects each artist to be showcased, changing the look and the feel of the shop at least every six weeks. The opening artist is Jacqueline Chubirka, a local artist with great success as an artist and illustrator. Chubirka's works have been featured in communications for Disney, Pepsi, MGM, Shell, Toyota and countless private residences across the world.
The lounge is perfect for downtowners wanting a quick cup of coffee or bite to eat, but you're missing out if you don't take the time to sit and enjoy the beautiful natural light through all of the windows. The Mabrys have taken care to make every inch interesting and inviting, including numerous sitting areas, niches and havens for conversation. Free Wi-Fi is also available for those looking for an escape from the four walls of an office.
One of the location's best-kept secrets is the artfully designed conference room at the back of the coffee shop. I can't imagine a more beautiful, relaxed spot to hold a business meeting, and Mrs. Mabry will work with you to cater and meet your needs for your meeting. The natural light is beautiful throughout the conference room as well.
“We are excited to be here,” Mrs. Mabry said. “This is something I have wanted to do for a long time. We're just getting our feet under us, and we will continue to be adding new selections and making adjustments our customers desire.”
Downtown Coffee Lounge is open from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
“Tyler has many wonderful local people making wonderful foods,” Mrs. Mabry said. “We want to find these people and offer the best each has to offer to our customers.”
The Mabrys are also dedicated to highlighting the work of local artists, using the architectural walls as backdrops for incredible pieces of art. The Mabrys have an outside person who selects each artist to be showcased, changing the look and the feel of the shop at least every six weeks. The opening artist is Jacqueline Chubirka, a local artist with great success as an artist and illustrator. Chubirka's works have been featured in communications for Disney, Pepsi, MGM, Shell, Toyota and countless private residences across the world.
The lounge is perfect for downtowners wanting a quick cup of coffee or bite to eat, but you're missing out if you don't take the time to sit and enjoy the beautiful natural light through all of the windows. The Mabrys have taken care to make every inch interesting and inviting, including numerous sitting areas, niches and havens for conversation. Free Wi-Fi is also available for those looking for an escape from the four walls of an office.
One of the location's best-kept secrets is the artfully designed conference room at the back of the coffee shop. I can't imagine a more beautiful, relaxed spot to hold a business meeting, and Mrs. Mabry will work with you to cater and meet your needs for your meeting. The natural light is beautiful throughout the conference room as well.
“We are excited to be here,” Mrs. Mabry said. “This is something I have wanted to do for a long time. We're just getting our feet under us, and we will continue to be adding new selections and making adjustments our customers desire.”
Downtown Coffee Lounge is open from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
