barismo gets Cantabridgian

We at barismo are working on a project to move into the left part of the building at 364 Broadway in Cambridge. It's not a small project by any means. The coffee program alone is far and above what the bar has been set at and we also have a lot to prove when it comes to doing a food program there as well. the expectations are extremely high and there is a tremendous amount of work right in front of us.

The story of barismo started a long time ago as a coffee blog but few people know we actually worked quite hard to move into the neighborhood just down from 364 five some years ago. the intention being that this neighborhood was one that would really get what we do. At that time, we had less aspirations in roasting and visions of doing something different than what unfolded at barismo's Arlington location.

After months of discussion, we just recently secured a lease for the space and a build out is being done as I write this. Let me step back a bit though, as during the process leading up to this a daughter came our way and our company shook up internally in a way that changed who we are allowing us to really take this project on. We parted ways on good terms with some people who really defined our early days thankful they had been there and added some really good backers who see and support our vision. In a way, we landed a bit flat footed in hitting the next stage of reaching into the neighborhood to share our ideas and getting into the politics of daily life in Cambridge City Hall.

We are now reaching out to the Cambridge neighborhood for support of this project. It's a long process and involves getting the word out person to person. We are now looking for signatures, letters, and people to speak on our behalf to show just how much support there is for what we want to do in that neighborhood. Since we've been trying to get in that block for years, we knew this was a neighborhood that had the right group of people for what we do and we are finding overwhelming support for what is going to be a huge project. We still need more supporters to get us through so please take some time to read more about our plans for the space by visiting dwelltime.barismo.com.

Event this coming Saturday June 18th @ Simon's

We will have v60 hand pours of our newly arrived Costa Rican Coffees this weekend from 10-5 Saturday the 18th. It will be the first chance to try these coffees and see fresh crop offerings.

We have a lot from Rio Jorco that cupped amazingly this year. We also have a few new lots from Don Mayo, a follow up to last years Don Mayo Mt. Canet offerings that were so popular.

Save the date, bring a friend and talk to our green buyer about our buying practices and his travels to Costa Rica to visit the farms and mills we sourced these coffees from.

Updates for May 1st

Some new things are happening that have kept us extremely busy in shop. It kept us from participating in the NERBC this year or having time to visit the USBC among a long list of other things.

The first being that Hong gave birth to our first child, a daughter named Sofi on April 7. Since then, we have been blessed with this wonderful distraction that keeps us grounded and quietly focused. I promise never to tie her allowance to whether she will drink coffee with no milk (Ridiculously enough, I've heard stories an industry old timer nearby did this with his kids).

While short on time and working hard to keep things moving, our priorities have obviously been focused away from what is happening in the industry at large. With that being said, we somehow found the time and resources to sign a new space. We will be opening a new coffee bar concept in the following months. It is a barismo sponsored project but is really a complete and separate business from what barismo does and will carry a new name. A preview of what is to come will arrive in two months: A manifesto reflecting the mission statement, the rules for submitting coffees for the guest program, and a public review process that provides a feedback loop. We are planning on an event schedule of rotating speakers and unique industry topics as well. As to the gear on bar, it will be a new template for the modern coffee bar, able to do quality and volume without compromising. On the whole, we feel it will be one of the most thoroughly developed and well thought out coffee bars in the nation from day one. We intend to put the Boston metro/greater Cambridge coffee scenes on their respective heels.

A lot of this reflects what barismo was at it's core, in the beginning, or one could say the vision the founders of the company had (still have?). Holding a higher bar of accountability for the products we serve and communicating the reasons behind that will be a key aspect of this new project. I expect to ruffle a few feathers with the approach we will be taking but it's inevitable. We've been quietly working towards this over the last six months and the excitement about the space is building. The work is just beginning and we have a lot more still to do. We are about to turn 3 this year, in September, and have a strong appreciation for the hurdles we have overcome to get where we are.

In shop, we are quickly running out of several coffees. The despair of empty space in our storage can only be buffered by the serious amounts of coffees scheduled to arrive shortly. We have some fresh new Colombias on the shelf and a slate of El Salvadors arriving soon. To follow that, we have Costa Ricas coming in and then finally some new lots from Guatemala. A busy slate of new coffees this summer!

Event this coming Saturday April 2

Our green buyer, Silas is back and will be in this Saturday to field questions and inquiries about our upcoming offering list. Curious about the changes at El Bosque and want to get an update, this is the chance. Want to get more information on our buying practices, this is the chance to ask those questions.

Silas just returned from Central America and has a lot to share. We will have a coffee or two on bar from his trip to Colombia on the bar that day as well!

Event: This Saturday pour over bar in Lexington

Our trainer will be at Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington this Saturday (05MAR) to present several coffees on v60. So you probably heard all the hubub about per cup in the NY Times, this is another chance to see what the fuss is about at another local up and coming shop.

Chris will be there most of the day offering up several coffees of our coffees that are ideal for hand pour, so come out and support progressive american coffee at it's finest!