A new coffee shop will take the spot of shuttered bakery in Macon. What we know.
A new coffee shop is taking the place of a shuttered bakery in Ingleside Village.
Village Coffee, owned by Brandon Lawler and his wife Carrie, will open its doors soon with an interesting twist.
The Macon community was shocked when beloved Oh Honey Baking Co. announced its abrupt closure in July. Village Coffee will occupy the same store that Oh Honey was in.
Lawler said he knew immediately that he wanted to continue what Oh Honey had started.
“Oh Honey proved that the neighborhood not only wanted but needed a coffee shop,” he said. “At Village Coffee we want to build on what they started with a comfortable, safe space for all to come.”
In that spirit, one of the first things Lawler did was recruit several of the former employees of Oh Honey to come work for him at Village Coffee. Lawler said there are six previous Oh Honey employees who have decided to come on board after hearing his plans for the new coffee shop.
“We are so very excited to bring familiar faces that everyone knows and loves,” he said.
Lawler said he plans to make Village Coffee stand out by bringing a certain eclectic flair to the atmosphere. He said Ingleside Village has an abundance of creativity flowing, and he wants to have a space where patrons can come in and be inspired.
Although the building is already built out as a coffee shop, Lawler said he plans to double the available seating and move the espresso machine, register, and pastry case to create a better flow for baristas working behind the bar. He said he will also add film to the large window to cool and darken the inside during the daytime.
Along with coffee, Village Coffee will also offer breakfast items, grilled cheese melts, pastries, ice cream and select craft beers. Lawler said menus will start on the simpler side until he has his footing in the space after opening.
Painting is done on the inside and will soon be started on the outside, he said. Lawler said he hopes to open in early September. Village Coffee will be at 2391 Ingleside Ave.
“My wife Carrie and I live in Ingleside and walk to the village all the time and she has worked at Ingleside Village Pizza for more than 10 years,” Lawler said. “We want to create a cozy neighborhood coffee shop that is a place to gather with friends and family for a quick coffee, lunch, or after dinner drink. We are deeply invested in the community and neighborhood that surrounds Ingleside.”
