Theyve tripled their floor space, yet still managed to maintain their cozy, comfortable, even homey atmosphere.
Were bigger, but it doesnt feel different, noted Jessica Quinhones, who runs Around the Corner with her parents, John and Cindy Lucas.
The coffee shop reopened its doors Monday at its new location, 102 S. Washington Ave., having moved around the corner (and down the street) from its old home at 110 S. Jefferson.
The new environs are considerably more spacious than their old quaint, and cramped, locale.
Quinhones noted the old spot was so small that if customers sat at its two tables, there wasnt enough room for others to congregate along the bar.
We looked at other places before, but nothing ever really felt right, Quinhones said. This place just feels right.
The coffee shop, southwest corner of the Washington-Madison intersection, sports a row of four tables, with a fifth on the way along a corridor, with room on the far wall for the same bar that adorned Around the Corners front window at its old site.
Additionally, the front counter area easily accommodates another half dozen or more customers awaiting their orders to go.
Now, people can sit here, relax and chitchat, and they dont have to feel like theyre in the way, Quinhones said.
THE NEW location will allow Quinhones and the Lucases to expand their food menu on top of their wide selection of coffees, lattes, cappuccino and the like.
A panini press is in place for gourmet sandwiches, and an induction plate will be installed for specialty omelets.
We want to expand the breakfast menu, but with a healthier breakfast menu, Quinhones said. Weve got great breakfasts at places like at B&B and Tinas. Were not trying to take anything away from them. We just want to give people another option for breakfast.
The trios original plans, to install a full oven, hit a roadblock while they were in the midst of moving.
Thats because putting such equipment in an old, two-story building requires the hood to be installed by a state-certified installer, which adds another $20,000 or so to the price tag.
