August 20, 2012 at 4:05am
No Haters: Along with his wife Vanessa, Café Love owner Martin Borcherding has worked hard to make the place cozy and welcoming. Nikki Talotta
Walking into Café Love in Olympia, the smell of fresh coffee, the cheerfulness of bright paintings against the warmth of wood walls and the welcoming of mellow music greets me.
The newest coffee shop downtown just completed its storefront last week and opened the doors last month, just three days after newlywed owners Martin and Vanessa Borcherding returned from their honeymoon.
Besides being a manifestation of their new life together, Café Love's name was chosen as a way to invite people in.
"The name captures the demographic we're after," says Martin Borcherding. "No haters," he says with a big grin.
A customer walks in inquiring about a cookie, which I learn are all home made, with the one in question being white chocolate and pecan.
Besides cookies, the café offers treats from Left Bank Pastry, bagels from Bagel Brothers and clam chowder every day of the week.
"We offer food because there's always that one friend who says, ‘I want something to eat,'" says Borcherding. "But we are a coffee destination."
Since coffee is the main focus, I have him whip me up a mean cappuccino.
"It's been tough being a barista by day and construction worker by night," says Borcherding as he finishes up the frothy topping.
He's referring to the extensive work he and his wife have done to bring the café to their liking.
There is an upstairs loft, counter seating and tables on the main floor. The paintings on the wall, as well as the window art, are all done by Tacoma artist Matthew Scott. The overall look and feel is tied together nicely.
As Borcherding turns his attention to another customer, I turn my attention to a young man who is comfortably sipping coffee and working on chainmail at one of the spacious tables.
When asked why he likes to come to Café Love, Morgan MacInnis answers, "It has a non-intrusive feeling. A lot of places you have to put in earplugs to work, but not here."
Another customer comes in to order iced coffee, and as they leave happily sipping their caffeine, I ask Borcherding how the community has responded.
"It's nice because we've gotten support from exactly who we're hoping - nice people," he says.
Café Love is located at 205 4th Ave., Olympia, and is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The café is looking to extend its hours and offers "Naked," an acoustic open mic, every Tuesday from 7 to 10 p.m.
Off duty rules.
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Comments for "Olympia's Café Love opens arms to community " (1)
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Jonathan said on Aug. 24, 2012 at 7:54pm
Interior design by Jonathan Hart Design Consulting - Puget Sound/Greater Los Angeles - 310/242-1325
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