Backstory Coffee Roasters Ready For Their North Loop Debut
The North Loop is getting another specialty coffee shop–and another spacious co-working/hangout spot with the opening this week of Backstory Coffee Roasters on the street level of Duffey Lofts.
With their grand opening on Friday, October 28th, the lobby entrance off Washington Avenue will be unlocked during their business hours, 7am-3pm, seven days a week, and visitors will get to enjoy the transformation of this historic former warehouse while they visit with friends, read or get some work done.
“The way it’s set up, you’re kind of meant to linger here,” said Kristina Oak, Backstory’s retail manager. “And that’s our mission and vision is to connect people over great coffee.”
Besides coffee, Backstory will offer pastries, gluten-free baked goods and a number of breakfast and lunch options like toasted cheese sandwiches, yogurt parfaits and chia pudding bowls.
And yes, dogs are allowed–as long as they’re leashed and stay off the furniture.
“We just want to be a welcoming, inclusive space where people feel comfortable to hang out,” said Oak.
The room is filled with historic photos and artifacts along with dozens of plants which get full sunlight from the building’s large windows. Those who look up at the ceiling will be able to see an historic crane that was used many decades ago to move heavy beams around when the building was operated by the Minneapolis Iron Store.
Billy Lee, concierge for the Duffey, will be around to answer questions. He’s already enjoyed the reactions from new tenants.
“The pictures do it absolutely no justice,” he said. “I have the advantage of watching people’s faces when they come in and they first see it and their jaws just drop. I mean they’re just amazed.”
This is the second Twin Cities location for Backstory. Their original coffee bar is on the west side of St. Paul.
By Mike Binkley, North Loop volunteer
