See also: Coffee at The Point is officially open for business
"Even though we're at the most historic intersection in this neighborhood, having the added patio will let people know there's something going on here," he explains.
The new space is a fairly typical sidewalk patio: wrought-iron chairs and tables surrounded by black metal fencing. It's roomy, which Ryan points out with pride, saying it reflects their larger-than-usual café space, which is 2,500 square feet.
Coffee at The Point's atmosphere is also a departure from that of many other coffeehouses. There are no worn wooden tables, mismatched chairs or well-loved sofa nooks here. Instead, everything is sleek and tidy: faux granite tables, black chairs, black pleather sofas and a gritty concrete floor entranceway that's smoothed over by the rest of the space.
The cafe has become a true gathering place for the neighborhood. "Our clientele, which is indicative of this area, is diverse -- not just of ethnicity but economically as well," says Ryan. Among the regulars are Denver City Councilman Albus Brooks, who hosts a lot of meetings at Coffee at The Point.
The brothers have been making gradual improvements to the place since it opened in 2010. In March 2013, Coffee at The Point even got a liquor license. Initially, they didn't plan to pursue that because of a state law prohibiting liquor licenses for restaurants within 500 feet of a school. But in 2012 the City of Denver revisited that law and determined that a local jurisdiction could get around those restrictions, and the license was granted.
Today the café serves a selection of beer and wine chosen by Donovan, who ensures that all the choices are appealing, varied and affordable. "There really is something for everybody," he says. They also have sandwiches (made with Boar's Head meats), soups, pastries and gluten-free pastries from Beet Box, a local baker. Despite having a license, Cafe at The Point doesn't serve mixed drinks (yet) -- out of respect for their neighbors, who are concerned that the place could turn into a nightclub, says Ryan, who has lived in Five Points for five years. But mimosas and bloody Marys will be added to the menu soon.
The brothers will also be extending their evening hours by one hour starting this Friday, August 1.
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