The java is locally roasted, but this new location may take customers on a trip back in time.
Opus Coffee, a local coffee shop with six Gainesville locations, will open its seventh branch this month, said 37-year-old co-owner, Bret Larson. Lattes, cold brews and BakerBaker pastries will be served in a 1976 silver Airstream, a retro tin travel vehicle, at 4th Ave Food Park, located at 409 SW 4th Ave.
While the time and date of the October opening are unknown, Larson and his brother and co-owner, Tim, plan to have the location open Thursday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. — but the days and hours of operation are subject to change.
“We feel like this is kind of the missing piece to the Fourth Avenue Food Park puzzle,” Larson said.
The Larson brothers, who also own the food park, are continuing to expand their business within a month of opening their newest location at Gainesville’s Innovation District. Larson did not disclose the price of their new automobile turned coffee shop.
The co-owner said the idea to expand their business to a travel vehicle came from Opus Coffee’s head roaster, Mike Weaver.
Weaver, a 47-year-old employee who has worked in the coffee industry for 10 years, researched the history of their Airstream after they purchased it. Through the registered number of the previous owners, they discovered it had traveled from Panama to Canada.
“We just want to remember what this specific Airstream went through, where it’s been and pay homage to that,” Weaver said.
Adventure-themed coffee drinks with possible names such as “Glacier Park” will be featured exclusively at this new location, he said.
Jarrett Hill, a 20-year-old UF Russian and history junior, said he works downtown at the Matheson History Museum and plans to visit the new location during a work break.
“It’s interesting and novel in a way that would draw me to that location rather than me going to the same old chains of Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks,” Hill said. “It’s something different, and I think that’s how they can diversify themselves.”
The Opus Coffee Airstream is displayed outside Gainesville’s Innovation District Thursday night. It will be moved to 4th Ave Food Park and open for business this month.
