The soft launch of the Arrington Lagoon cafe on Saturday drew a good-sized crowd of local residents, eager to taste-test coffee drinks and pastries and hear more about plans for the cafe at First Ward Council Member Clare Kelly’s Coffee and Conversation.
Kelly has been instrumental in the city’s long effort to bring a cafe to the Arrington Lagoon shelter building, which dates back to the depression era. The building is city-owned and -operated, and has been renovated over the past several months. The tiny kitchen got outfitted with all-new appliances, and new flooring was installed throughout the building.
While many at the gathering liked the name Cafe au Lake, the name of the cafe has yet to be finalized, among a host of other details. Parks and Recreation deputy directors Michael Callahan and Matt Poole, together with food service manager Michael Drape, presented the city’s vision for the cafe and addressed questions and Kelly took notes of suggestions from those at the meeting. Among the ideas: Forming a “Friends of the Cafe” group, and hosting poetry readings and live music.
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As it stands, the city will run and staff the facility year-round and is looking at getting a liquor license, to serve wine and beer in addition to coffee drinks. Along with the name, the menu and hours of service are also still to be determined…