La Colombe Coffee Roasters: Begins Construction in Blagden Alley Location

Update 6/20/2013: Photograph

6/20/13 - work continues - upper floor windows have been cleared of bricks and wood fill-in's and the brick pointed

6/20/13 - A new roof and freshly pointed brick surrounding windows

 

Update 6/3/2013: Photograph

Work continues, the water lines are in, brick scraping, support and renovation  ongoing. Foreman tells me still aiming for August completion of "rough", so new owners can start interior build-out

Back in February (before this Blog existed) reports surfaced that La Colombe, Philadelphia's go-to destination for coffee aficionados was planning to open in Shaw, and that a lease was being sought next to Rogue 24 in Blagden Alley. Then things got quite. OK Wake Up! Get ready to smell the coffee beans.

922 N Street NW / Blagden Alley

Passing by today, I noticed some activity going on, and of course, I asked the construction crew if they were finally starting wok. "Yes, but right now just the heavy work" - clearing, wall supports, brick work, and underground laying of piping etc". That's good. "The tenant wants the property ready for August" So it looks like we will have a coffee shop with retail sales in Shaw, in the Alley next to Rogue 24 as reported, and maybe by the end of the summer?

Early Days, but a target date of August

La Colombe has locations in New York(3), Chicago(1) and Seoul(3), as well as there flagship in Philadelphia(2). If the name is familiar, they sell their ground coffee brand at several retailers and restaurants in D.C., including Whole Foods, CityZen, and the Mayflower Hotel. Back in February it was reported that they would also be serving at Blue Duck Tavern and that Le Diplomate will offer it as well.

Short Promo Video, shows multiple locations: