Even before the pandemic, there was a trend of converting office buildings to residential use. There are ongoing projects like the one at Central and Camelback in which an entire 10-story office building is being repurposed for housing. With lingering work-from-home arrangements, a similar transition is a possible outcome for the vacant Chase Tower, the tallest building in Arizona. For Press Coffee, though, the trend with its most urban locations has been the opposite: relocation from ground floor retail in apartment buildings to office lobbies instead.
cranberry scone and latte
Press Coffee is a local powerhouse in roasting and distribution, with its coffee found not only at its flagship roastery in northeast Phoenix, but also at a dozen of its own smaller cafe locations throughout the metropolitan area. In addition, Press acts as a supplier to numerous other establishments, making its coffee increasingly ubiquitous throughout the region. In both downtown Phoenix and downtown Tempe, Press has defied current trends to open new shops in commercial buildings to replace ones previously situated in nearby apartment developments.
chocolate peanut butter shaker
The downtown Phoenix location, known as "EVB" for East Van Buren, is on the ground floor of the Arizona Republic building, allowing customers to contemplate the role of the press while enjoying a drink from Press. It's just a two-block walk from the Van Buren light rail platforms, and bike racks are found nearby on Third Street. In downtown Tempe, Press occupies a space inside the 100 Mill building, a block from the Mill Avenue / Third Street light rail station and along the route of the Tempe Streetcar. Bike racks are found just outside the building entrance.
chocolate peanut butter butta cake and chai latte
At both shops, the decor is similar with a clean, sleek look punctuated by maps of global coffee varieties and the split flap displays, once used in train stations and airports, that are now popular in coffee shops. At all sites, Press brews its Early Edition coffee and Twitch espresso blends, as well as a changing selection of single origin coffees. As expected, all sorts of espresso-based drinks are available, along with hot and iced teas. Press also concocts a line of "shakers," coffee or tea-based drinks mixed in a metal vessel usually associated with martinis.
matcha shaker
Just as Press is a coffee supplier to many restaurants around town, the shops rely on Noble Bread as their main pastry source. The result is usually an assortment of muffins, cookies, and scones similar to what might be seen from the Noble Bread stands at most local farmers markets. A more recent addition for customers who want something smaller but still sweet are miniature "butta cakes" from the local bakery of the same name. Flavors available at any given time might include chocolate peanut butter, carrot, or cake batter topped with sprinkles.
100 Mill location
At the Van Buren location, there is also a savory option not currently found in Tempe: empanadas with fillings of vegetables or meat combined with egg. Offered as part of a special with a cup of coffee, they offer the possibility of a light breakfast on the go. Although everything press serves is designed for portability, both locations offer a reason to linger with their interiors melding with the lobbies of the buildings they occupy. Even as employers wrestle with their return to in-person work and collaboration, Press now offers a reason to come back to the office.
200 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix AZ 85004
100 S. Mill Ave., Tempe AZ 85281
https://presscoffee.com
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