The Lucabe Coffee Company opened its new location in the Irwin Union Bank building. Located in Columbus, Indiana, the building was originally designed by Harry Weese, an American architect. The mid-century glazed brick structure was left vacant for several years. It is now home to the second official location of the local coffee chain.
Weese designed the building to evoke a child's view of a castle, which he accomplished with two towers. The piece of architectural heritage is given a new life with small renovations to accommodate its new business. Lucabe Coffee Company preserved the building's original features and highlighted historical features such as the former bank's drive-through window, which still acts as a service counter for customer pick-ups.
Mid-Century Coffee Shops
Lucabe Coffee Company Opens in the Irwin Union Bank Building
Trend Themes
1. Revived Architecture - The trend of repurposing mid-century architecture for modern businesses creates opportunities for unique and historic locations, appealing to customers looking for special experiences.
2. Local Coffee Chains - The rise of small, locally-owned coffee chains provides opportunities for entrepreneurs to enter the market and differentiate from larger chains by offering unique local flavors and experiences.
3. Heritage Preservation - The trend of businesses preserving and highlighting historic architectural features appeals to customers who value authenticity and history in their experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Hospitality - Hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality businesses can benefit from reviving mid-century architecture by creating memorable and unique locations that appeal to travelers.
2. Food and Beverage - The growth of local coffee chains presents opportunities for entrepreneurs and existing food and beverage businesses to differentiate themselves by offering unique local flavors and experiences.
3. Real Estate - The trend of heritage preservation creates opportunities for real estate developers to repurpose and revitalize historic buildings for new business ventures, appealing to customers looking for unique experiences.