Alchemy Coffee is open in a Broad Street VCU building. Photo by Michael Thompson.
After two years in his distinctive mobile shop, Eric Spivack can now serve coffee from behind a stationary counter.
Spivack opened Alchemy Coffee: The Lab at 814 W. Broad St. on Monday, in time for the return of Virginia Commonwealth University students. The 800-square-foot coffee shop is on the ground floor of the recently renovated VCU arts department near the corner of Laurel and West Broad streets.
The Lab is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, but Spivack said hours may change depending on foot traffic. In addition to coffee and espresso, The Lab sells sandwiches and baked goods.
Spivack’s original tear drop-shaped Alchemy Coffee trailer still operates on VCU’s Monroe Park campus Tuesday through Thursday and at the South of the James Farmer’s Market on Saturday.
Between the cart and the storefront, Alchemy has 10 employees. That includes baker Drew Thomasson, whom Spivack hired to make the company’s scones and bread.
“All the food is in-house now,” Spivack said. “With the volume we now expect, it makes sense to do that stuff ourselves.”
The Lab has a three-year lease on its new space. Renovations began in June and were completed just before the cafe opened.
“I’m thinking in the next year more opportunities will present themselves, and we’ll go from there,” Spivack said.
Alchemy Coffee is open in a Broad Street VCU building. Photo by Michael Thompson.
After two years in his distinctive mobile shop, Eric Spivack can now serve coffee from behind a stationary counter.
Spivack opened Alchemy Coffee: The Lab at 814 W. Broad St. on Monday, in time for the return of Virginia Commonwealth University students. The 800-square-foot coffee shop is on the ground floor of the recently renovated VCU arts department near the corner of Laurel and West Broad streets.
The Lab is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, but Spivack said hours may change depending on foot traffic. In addition to coffee and espresso, The Lab sells sandwiches and baked goods.
Spivack’s original tear drop-shaped Alchemy Coffee trailer still operates on VCU’s Monroe Park campus Tuesday through Thursday and at the South of the James Farmer’s Market on Saturday.
Between the cart and the storefront, Alchemy has 10 employees. That includes baker Drew Thomasson, whom Spivack hired to make the company’s scones and bread.
“All the food is in-house now,” Spivack said. “With the volume we now expect, it makes sense to do that stuff ourselves.”
The Lab has a three-year lease on its new space. Renovations began in June and were completed just before the cafe opened.
“I’m thinking in the next year more opportunities will present themselves, and we’ll go from there,” Spivack said.