News cafe designed with you in mind
Web access in historic setting
The door is open to the public at a new cafe inside The Windsor Star’s location downtown.
The aim is to engage the community at the relocated offices at Ouellette and University avenues and provide a downtown destination, Bev Becker, Star director of digital products and marketing, said of The Windsor Star News Cafe operated by the Green Bean Cafe.
The new cafe, a second location for the Green Bean, serves the food, while The Star provides the venue with a view above the street for events, meetings and just dropping by while downtown.
“We think that it’s going to be unique,” said Ben Davidson who will operate the cafe with his wife, Michelle Davidson.
The contemporary, industrial-style decor reflects the location, with pieces from The Star’s 1954-vintage Crabtree printing press at Ferry Street integrated into the new space. Look for the clock showing the number of newspapers printed, ink controls for the presses and the lights that showed when presses were running.
Two terraces overlook Ouellette. The cafe’s open mid-level area with seating for about 60 people is arranged around the central staircase and elevator between The Star’s main office and the two lower floors with businesses above and below street level.
The Davidsons opened their
“SO, WE’RE JUST LOOKING TO BE A PART
OF WHAT WE THINK IS TANGIBLE MOMENTUM THAT’S ON THE STREET.”
BEN DAVIDSON
Green Bean Cafe in September 2009, in the lower level of University Community Church across from the University of Windsor’s new engineering building on Wyandotte Street West.
She’s 28, a University of Windsor graduate and nurse at Hotel- Dieu Grace Hospital. He’s 32 and has worked as a pastor for five years; and they’ve both worked in food service. Married seven years, the couple are expecting their first child in July.
“For us it’s very much about what we can do for our neighbourhood, like how can we contribute to the success of our neighbourhood,” Ben said.
They live near their university cafe, attend the church upstairs and seek local suppliers as food sources, including for breads, coffees and other ingredients.
“We want people to feel like this is their space, too,” Michelle said of their approach that has attracted neighbours, students, professors along with parties, wedding events and anniversary receptions.
The new downtown cafe lends itself as a public venue for events, casual gatherings, meetings, performances, de- bates, forums and activities like games and design projects.
“The opportunities are endless,” said Becker.
The couple will bring their Green Bean menu and approach with a few new selections and tweak the choices as demand dictates. Look for items between $5 and $8, without fried foods and offering light fare such as soups, panini sandwiches and the Green Bean’s already- popular signature items like vegetarian chili, vegan brownies, glutenfree wraps and carrot cake.
The space designed by Helena Ventrella provides booths, tables and raised, high- top tables arranged in a colourful decor accented with the historical and industrial look from the press pieces, the couple said.
Staff will use touch-screen tablet devices at the checkouts. Customers can make orders online, choose the time for pickup, pay with a credit card and obtain items at a designated checkout.
The Davidsons consider the downtown full of potential with development underway for the aquatic centre, college and university facilities and The Star’s relocation.
“So, we’re just looking to be a part of what we think is tangible momentum that’s on the street,” Ben said.