Here is a story I wrote for one of my journalism classes on a new coffee house opening up downtown. I will upload a menu later hopefully, once I get an update with the owners. The pictures attached are from Paul Barzda, the general manager. The website is http://www.hob-nobs.com/:

             Move over Starbucks; there is a new coffee shop in town. Hob Nobs Coffee House, formerly known as The Willow House, will be opening its doors sometime during the week of September 22^nd if inspections go well, according to owner Bob Hodge, in his mid-40s.

            The focus of the Hob Nobs Coffee House, located at the intersection of 3^rd Avenue and McDowell Road, will be on the finest quality of coffee and food. "Give the consumer more than they expect, and then they’ll come back,” Hodge said.

            Owners Bob and Cherylin Hodge will put an importance on organic foods and locally-roasted and organic coffee as well. One of the menu items is oatmeal made with steel-cut oats, which are cut with a steel grinder and are less processed, creamier and nicer, Bob Hodge said. “They’re much more natural oats,” he said.

            Other specialty items sold in the coffee house include healthy and organic sandwiches, salads, breakfast items, pastries and waffles with various toppings. All items will be freshly made and prepared. As for the coffee, the roast and blend are unique, organic and local, Bob Hodge said.

Two to three days after the coffee is roasted locally, it will be delivered to the coffee house to serve to customers. This guarantees that the coffee will be fresh and full of flavor, Bob Hodge said.

Another goal of the Hob Nobs Coffee House will be the quality of the staff. General manager Paul Barzda, in his mid-40s, said he will hire “people who are truly unique in character.”

“It will be their smile, their barista skills and their conversations, that will keep our customers coming back time and time again,” Barzda said.

Coffee customers like Rebecca Diaz, 18, a public relations sophomore at Arizona State University, enjoy the distinctive attributes of locally-owned coffee houses like Hob Nobs Coffee House. “I like small coffee shops because they always are unique and have something very distinct about them—whether it’s their look or their coffee’s taste,” Diaz said.

Although the beginning hours will be around 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the beginning, the ending hours will extend to 9 p.m. during the week days and midnight on the weekend in the future when staff and supplies are finalized.

The longer hours may attract students like Diaz, who lives at Taylor Place on the Downtown Phoenix ASU Campus. “I like when shops are open all day. Sometimes I even find myself going two times in a day. Coffee usually follows dinner for me though; the caffeine helps with homework for obvious reasons,” Diaz said.

            The coffee house boasts a long history as well as a new ownership and atmosphere. The building was built in 1903 and is part of the National Historic Register, Phoenix Historic Property Register and the Willo Historic District, Bob Hodge said. The building has also been in the business of coffee for approximately 18 years.

            Originally, the Hodges wanted to name the coffee shop “Willo House”, but it was decided to leave the name for the general historic area, Barzda said.

            The old Willow House coffee shop had been leased by the landlord, and eventually the owners had financial trouble and filed bankruptcy, according to Barzda. In comparison, owners Bob and Cherylin Hodge “have a long-term lease with the owners of the property and own all equipment in the building and the separate garage,” Barzda said.

            Chris Timmons, co-owner of the old Willow House, told the Arizona Republic that the maintenance on the old building became too costly. However, the old coffee shop is said to have moved to the location of 17th Avenue and Van Buren Street.

            Although the old coffee shop attracted a rough crowd, everyone should feel welcome at the newly renovated Hob Nobs Coffee House, Bob Hodge said.

There will still be an artsy feel at the new coffee shop, with music playing, live entertainment, local artwork and paintings decorating the walls eventually, Bob Hodge said.

            “When we have filled the walls with ever-changing artwork, from black and white photographs to abstract paintings; infused with nightly music venues that touch the arts that each of us holds dear, we will certainly touch many people,” Barzda said.

Besides the artsy vibe, the coffee house has been completely redone, including the repainting and the mixture of around six different types of old wood and new wood flooring where needed. There is a new electrical and plumbing system, as well as a ramp for physically challenged people.

“We’ve given [the coffee house] a new identity,” Bob Hodge said.

            Cherylin Hodge was the main decorator for the coffee shop, with a cozy and comfortable, “simple yet exquisite” style and atmosphere, Bob Hodge said. “My wife is fantastic. Her eye is just wonderful at designing,” he said.

The new owners have had experience in the coffee business previously, owning coffee carts around the Valley from 1992 to 2003. They owned carts with names of “Café Americana” and “Plantation Express”, using the slogan of “The coffee comes express from the plantation to you,” Bob Hodge said.

The Hodges sold their coffee in front of the Hyatt Regency as well as at the Phoenix Open and Phoenix International Raceway.

Future plans for the Hodges include opening other coffee shops in Arizona. “After this location is dialed in with all of the various components for a successful business to succeed, I’ll assist in putting together the next Hob Nobs possibly in Tempe or the Downtown area,” Barzda said.

In reference to other competition like Starbucks, Barzda said, “I have always believed that it is our uniqueness that makes us irreplaceable.”

Bob Hodge said that he invites competition. “We are going to be the premier coffee house,” he said.