With some work-from-home arrangements persisting after the pandemic, the prospects for commercial real estate in central business districts have become unclear. The tallest building in Arizona, the Chase Tower, is currently empty, and an offices-to-apartments conversion at Central and Camelback has been proceeding at a glacial pace for more than five years. Most new construction is now residential. Amid all this uncertainty, it is refreshing that Press Coffee is expanding its network of coffee houses in urban commercial space throughout the area.
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 stands inside selected Sprouts grocery stores and at its own smaller cafe locations throughout the metropolitan area. In addition, Press acts as a coffee supplier to numerous other establishments, making its beans and roasts increasingly ubiquitous throughout the region. In both downtown Phoenix and downtown Tempe, Press has opened new cafes or relocated existing stores in three locations served by light rail.
chocolate peanut butter shaker
There are now two downtown Phoenix locations. One that has been around for several years is known as "EVB" for East Van Buren and is situated 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 a two-block walk from the Van Buren light rail platforms, and bike racks are found nearby on Third Street. A newer location is found nearby within the Phoenix Convention Center near that facility's entrance at Adams and Second streets. There, bike racks are right outside.
chocolate peanut butter butta cake and chai latte
Unlike the food court deep inside the convention center, which is open only during events booked in its facilities, Press coffee has its own entrance and operates on a standard schedule regardless of what meetings or trade shows may be going on inside the venue. Ten miles to the east in downtown Tempe, Press occupies a ground floor space inside the 100 Mill office building, a block from the Mill Avenue / Third Street light rail station and along the route of the Tempe Streetcar. In that location as well, bike racks are found just outside the building entrance.
matcha shaker
At all shops, the decor is similar with a clean, sleek look sometimes punctuated by maps of global coffee varieties and color wheels corresponding to different roasts. At all sites, Press brews its signature Early Edition coffee and Twitch espresso, as well as a changing selection of single origin coffees and seasonal and specialty blends. 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.
apple huckleberry hand pie and matcha latte
Just as Press is a coffee supplier to many restaurants, the shops rely on both Noble Bread and Chaconne Patisserie for their baked goods. The result is an assortment of muffins, cookies, scones, croissants, and hand pies similar to what might be seen from both purveyors at local farmers markets. For customers who want something smaller but still sweet, miniature "butta cakes" are offered 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.
empanada and coffee
In terms of savory options, those can vary by location. On Van Buren, there are empanadas with fillings of vegetables or meat combined with scrambled eggs. Offered as part of a special with a cup of coffee, they offer the possibility of a light breakfast on the go. At the convention center and in Tempe, Press carries prepared sandwiches and salads from EAT by Stacy Weber, a local catering company. Items obtained recently from the refrigerated case near the counter have included chicken salad sliders and a salad of roasted lentils and chickpeas over greens.
chickpea lentil salad and chicken salad sliders
Each store also has some shelf space devoted to bottled drinks and energy bars for immediate purchase and consumption. Although everything Press serves is designed and packaged for portability, both locations offer a reason to linger with reliable Wifi, and interiors designed to meld with the lobbies of the buildings they occupy. Even as employers wrestle with their return to on-site work, and associations strive to find a balance between in-person and virtual events, Press Coffee continues to offer reasons to come downtown in both Phoenix and Tempe.
200 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix AZ 85004
125 N. 2nd St., Phoenix AZ 85004
100 S. Mill Ave., Tempe AZ 85281
https://presscoffee.com
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