http://www.okctalk.com/search.php?searchid=2576946

Steve Willingham, current roaster at popular Elemental Coffee in Midtown, is set to open a new coffee shop in the new Arts Center parking garage at 431 W. Main.

The new venture will be called Clarity Coffee and take 1,334 square feet at the far east end of the garage on Main Street. The location is directly across from the proposed 499 Sheridan (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=499+Sheridan) complex.

Willingham told OKCTalk: "Clarity Coffee will focus on community and specialty coffee. We'll be serving the best coffees we can find from multiple roasters, some local, some not. We'll also serve local pastries and fine teas. We're excited about what's going on downtown, and we're just glad we get to be part of it."

The garage itself opened a few months ago and is now busy finishing out the ground floor for various tenants.

Preliminary hours are 7AM to 6PM and Clarity hopes to be open in the late spring or early summer.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/clarity2.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/clarity3.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/clarity1.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/maingarage021115.jpg

Interesting that he is currently a coffee roaster but does not sound like he is going to roast at his new place.

Interesting that the rendering shows both 499 and the historic properties on that site. Does he know something we don't? Or is he just hopeful like us?

Interesting that the rendering shows both 499 and the historic properties on that site. Does he know something we don't? Or is he just hopeful like us?

That's my model from Google Earth.

It shows a Sketch-up model over the top of the existing buildings.

OH, okay, dang, wishful thinking from me then :-)

Looks like this will just be for the working crowds? I assume closing on weekends?

7am to 6pm, so people walking to and from the parking garage farm.

7am to 6pm, so people walking to and from the parking garage farm.

Yawn. Then why even bother?

You know, as I say that, I can think of places in SF's financial district that are closed on weekends, or Chicago's Loop that are closed at night, or ... still a bit of a letdown though.

I was really excited for a moment because I always dreamed of there being a coffee shop right next to the Park, but was quickly disappointed when a) it was being done by someone from Elemental and b) it's not actually next to the park and c) it won't even be open at any kind of useful time.

I know that most CBD's are dead outside of business hours, but the park is a gathering spot especially in the summer. I hate it even more because the fact that they exist a block away will likely deter a normal coffee place from opening in the area any time soon.

The hours do seem off, and I'll not likely ever make it over there while they're open. Closing at 6:00 doesn't make much sense. It seems like they might as well close at 4:00, covering the afternoon crowd that might exist, but I can't imagine there will be much traffic between 4 and 6. I do think they could draw a decent evening crowd from the park if they were open late, or from the Civic Center if they were open Saturday.

The hours aren't set.

The hours aren't set.

In spite of the fact that we know very little about the details of this coffee shop, I think it is never to early to declare the whole endeavor a failure. /s :p

I was really excited for a moment because I always dreamed of there being a coffee shop right next to the Park, but was quickly disappointed when a) it was being done by someone from Elemental and b) it's not actually next to the park and c) it won't even be open at any kind of useful time.

I know that most CBD's are dead outside of business hours, but the park is a gathering spot especially in the summer. I hate it even more because the fact that they exist a block away will likely deter a normal coffee place from opening in the area any time soon.

Why does it bother you that it's "someone from Elemental"?

The hours aren't set.

Cool. If they're open in the evenings, or on Saturdays, I'll give it a try. I like Elemental, so I'm not sure why that's a negative here.

Cain's Coffee Company, Oklahoma City.

Whatever happened to them?

Cain's Coffee Company, Oklahoma City.

Whatever happened to them?

HOT ROD,
Sara Lee owns them and they closed the local facility in 2003. The brand still exists, and their are still some services in Oklahoma.
C. T.

Why does it bother you that it's "someone from Elemental"?

They seem to only want to cater to coffee snobs with heroin level caffeine addictions, not for people like me who actually like the taste of coffee, creamer, and some tasty flavorings. It may just be my own singular experience, but I always get an annoyed vibe from the baristas at Elemental, Coffee Slingers, and now even District House if I don't get why it's $7 for a 2 ounce shot of coffee. I would rather a casual place like Cuppies and Joe or even a Starbucks open downtown next to the park.

I guess I've become a coffee snob. I drink Starbucks, but only if the choice is that, or gas station coffee. I love Elemental. I like Slingers, too. Hoboken Coffee in Guthrie is really good, but I don't want to drive to Guthrie just for coffee. I even roast my own beans now because I know how I like coffee.

I guess I've become a coffee snob. I drink Starbucks, but only if the choice is that, or gas station coffee. I love Elemental. I like Slingers, too. Hoboken Coffee in Guthrie is really good, but I don't want to drive to Guthrie just for coffee. I even roast my own beans now because I know how I like coffee.

To clarify, I don't have a problem with high quality coffee or even high prices. My issue is the attitude I seem to encounter at these places. Like I said, maybe it's only my personal experience, but I just get a very uninviting and even impatient vibe with these places, and that is a big factor for where I spend my money.

I have worked with the owner Steve, in the past in a coffee shop and have met few people with the passion for coffee and doing things right as he has. He will give 150% and do what it takes. Give him and this a chance. He will have quality products and I'd venture to say if you are a coffee snob, you should be satisfied with the product here.

Caffeine jolt: COTPA welcomes coffee shop to Arts District garage
By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record February 23, 2015

OKLAHOMA CITY – For nearly 10 years, Steve Willingham has thought about what he would have in his own coffee shop. That dream will become a reality in a few months.
Willingham will open Clarity Coffee in a 1,300-square-foot space in the Arts District parking garage, 431 W. Main St. His shop will be on the east side near the Hightower Building. He expects to open early summer.

“It’s been a work in progress for about a year,” he said.

Willingham was first introduced to the coffee scene when he worked at Starbucks about nine years ago. He has worked in different independently owned shops for the past six years and is currently a roaster at Elemental Coffee in Oklahoma City.

“I’ve seen it go from a really sprawled-out coffee scene to a really close-knit group of people, who are really in love with serving awesome coffee,” he said.

He plans to offer roasts from companies near and far, as well as pastries made by a local baker, which he hasn’t named yet. Willingham said he plans to offer a simple menu that will appeal to all coffee drinkers.

“We want to have a really great product in a space where everyone can feel comfortable and come together and have community,” he said.

Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority spokesman Michael Scroggins said having a cafe seemed like a great opportunity to activate the area.

“We really hope it serves as an example for other economic opportunities,” he said. “We’re just thrilled that we will have all the space leased out by the end of the year.”
Willingham said he’s happy to be there.

“It’s right in the action,” he said.

The authority has 18,000 square feet of retail space on the garage’s first floor. Announced occupants include the city of Oklahoma City’s employee health clinic, the Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools and the COTPA office.

Building permits have been filed with the city for the retail spaces. The authority issued the request for qualified proposals to finish construction during its February meeting. Tap Architecture designed the retail spaces’ interiors.

Clarity Coffee’s space will include chairs, tables, couches and free Wi-Fi, Willingham said. He plans to be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. He is considering staying open late hours for events at the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall.

“It all comes down to what the community wants,” he said.


Read more: Caffeine jolt: COTPA welcomes coffee shop to Arts District garage | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2015/02/23/caffeine-jolt-cotpa-welcomes-coffee-shop-to-arts-district-garage-real-estate/#ixzz3Smg1FZG5)

I think he will do well here but there are two other coffee shops within close distance. Don't think he will hurt Illy in Devon but I have always gotten the impression that the coffee shop on the east end of the library struggles. I did see last week that they have added pizza to their menu.

I think he will do well here but there are two other coffee shops within close distance. Don't think he will hurt Illy in Devon but I have always gotten the impression that the coffee shop on the east end of the library struggles. I did see last week that they have added pizza to their menu.

That space in the library is on its third operator in a year. Always a bad sign. Speaking of bad signs, their awning looks terrible.

The new operator is making it a "Turbo" pizza place, whatever that means.

And fwiw, I go to Aravalli (aka Illy) all the time, but I'm guessing I will prefer Clarity over Aravalli, so I intend to switch my allegiance.

I think he will do well here but there are two other coffee shops within close distance. Don't think he will hurt Illy in Devon but I have always gotten the impression that the coffee shop on the east end of the library struggles. I did see last week that they have added pizza to their menu.

I had no idea there was a coffee shop in the Library. When is it open?

The Clarity location is directly across from the City offices on Main, will have lots more office tenants with them in the parking garage, has City Hall directly north and of course 499 Sheridan to be built directly south.

They will get tons of traffic just due to the location and those who don't want to cross Hudson for a cup of coffee.

if the pizza place in the library keeps library hours (9pm) I can see eating there as it's close to me, but I kinda doubt they will...

I had no idea there was a coffee shop in the Library. When is it open?

It is on the far east end. It is hidden behind the rotary fountain and kind of tucked in. Lousy place for visibility. Can't see it from street and can't see it when walking into the library. I haven't been in it in a awhile and just saw the pizza sign last week. Not sure if they just added pizza or whether they have transitioned to a pizza restaurant.

It is on the far east end. It is hidden behind the rotary fountain and kind of tucked in. Lousy place for visibility. Can't see it from street and can't see it when walking into the library. I haven't been in it in a awhile and just saw the pizza sign last week. Not sure if they just added pizza or whether they have transitioned to a pizza restaurant.

The Hemingway Café/pizza joint actually just went under. Word is that Café Kacao's owners will be opening up shop in that space within the next month or so.

Clarity is now under construction.

Should be open in a couple of months.

They are getting their floors poured... All the spaces on the ground floor only have gravel for now:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CEfuui7VAAAiuPm.jpg

Progress:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CGL80RtUoAAOlY9.jpg

Good progress (from their Twitter feed):

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CKIbyfDUAAAiSwY.jpg

Getting closer... Should open soon.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/clarity092415.jpg

clarity coffee's first day is tomorrow, 12/8.

Oh that's where it's going to be? So close to Aravalli and Element is even down the street.

Some photos:



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/claritydec1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/claritydec2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/claritydec3.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/claritydec4.jpg

It is amazing how this city has gone from a desolate coffee desert to some of the best coffee shops in the US. Having extensively travelled the west coast, our coffee shops generally hold the bar to any in California, Oregon, or Washington. Kudos to the artisans who are doing it because they are passionate about producing the best product.

Very nice.

It is amazing how this city has gone from a desolate coffee desert to some of the best coffee shops in the US. Having extensively travelled the west coast, our coffee shops generally hold the bar to any in California, Oregon, or Washington. Kudos to the artisans who are doing it because they are passionate about producing the best product.

Ditto to this. I was desperate to find a good coffee shop when I moved here 10 years ago, and everything was lacking. Not so anymore.

My biggest complaint, and it's still relatively true, is that we don't have a coffee place that's open late (11 or midnight), let alone 24 hours. We had a few in West Michigan that were open late and one that was open 24 hours. They were awesome for socializing, doing some work/homework AND had great coffee. Evoke tried the late-night hours, but said it just wasn't busy enough to make profitable sense.

Though not a pure coffee shop, All About Cha on N. Western stays open until midnight as will their new location in the Mideke Building.

All About Cha in Bricktown will be open until midnight...

My biggest complaint, and it's still relatively true, is that we don't have a coffee place that's open late (11 or midnight), let alone 24 hours.

I share this complaint. We live out in the far NW suburbs and what few coffee shops we have seem to hardly ever be open. Starbucks has decent hours but there is always a huge line (there must be demand for non-banker's hours coffee) and after having decent coffee, I just don't enjoy Starbucks that much anymore. I'm working on making decent coffee at home and I'm getting close but I'm out of luck if I want a good latte.

A coffee shop on Memorial between Rockwell and Meridian would be awesome...

*Not counting Starbucks

My biggest complaint, and it's still relatively true, is that we don't have a coffee place that's open late (11 or midnight), let alone 24 hours.
It doesn't necessarily help with the general Oklahoma City metro needs, but if you're ever in Norman and looking for a later-night caffeine fix then Gray Owl Coffee is open until 11PM every night, and they do it up right.

Also, stopped in to Clarity this morning, and had an incredible pour over and macchiato. Someone came in and bought the first 100 drinks, so I got mine gratis and just put the cash I was gonna' pay with in the tip jar. Good dudes and dudette, and a good product. I'll definitely be a regular, paid parking be damned.

It is amazing how this city has gone from a desolate coffee desert to some of the best coffee shops in the US. Having extensively travelled the west coast, our coffee shops generally hold the bar to any in California, Oregon, or Washington. Kudos to the artisans who are doing it because they are passionate about producing the best product.

This bears repeating: 5 Underrated Coffee Cities - Sprudge (http://sprudge.com/5-underrated-coffee-cities-49595.html)

It is amazing how this city has gone from a desolate coffee desert to some of the best coffee shops in the US. Having extensively travelled the west coast, our coffee shops generally hold the bar to any in California, Oregon, or Washington. Kudos to the artisans who are doing it because they are passionate about producing the best product.

I have a friend from OU that has lived in New York for the last 5 years and has said the same thing. His favorite coffee shop is Coffee Slingers. Pretty amazing considering he lives among thousands of them now.

All About Cha is an answer to these problems, as they close at midnight.

I always loved the coffee shop/beer concept that stays open until 2am. I used to go to Vagabond in Wichita when I lived there and I'd stay until 2am all the time. There'd be a table of people drinking next to a table of people studying. It's a great concept that I don't know why isn't more common.

I'm glad I don't like coffee. I'm not affected by any of this at all. :D

I always loved the coffee shop/beer concept that stays open until 2am. I used to go to Vagabond in Wichita when I lived there and I'd stay until 2am all the time. There'd be a table of people drinking next to a table of people studying. It's a great concept that I don't know why isn't more common.

Wouldn't our liquor laws would make this difficult/unrealistic? I don't think anyone under 21 can even walk in a bar area. So either the coffee counter and bar are separated (would need a lot of space/buildout to do this), or if you had kids with you, you'd need to leave them somewhere when you went up to order. 18-20 year old college students would be SOL.

Wouldn't our liquor laws would make this difficult/unrealistic? I don't think anyone under 21 can even walk in a bar area. So either the coffee counter and bar are separated (would need a lot of space/buildout to do this), or if you had kids with you, you'd need to leave them somewhere when you went up to order. 18-20 year old college students would be SOL.

Under 21's can go into a bar area unless it's designated as adults only or is designated as ABC-3, which means they derive most their revenue from alcohol as opposed to food.

I would think a coffee establishment could work around those issues.

Under 21's can go into a bar area unless it's designated as adults only or is designated as ABC-3, which means they derive most their revenue from alcohol as opposed to food.

I would think a coffee establishment could work around those issues.

District House already does this (not a full bar), so it definitely can be done.

^

Right! Always forget about them.

I think District House is 3.2 only. That said, if ABC-2 youngsters could come inside, they just could not sit at bar. R&J is an example of a place that TOTALLY feels like a bar, but kids can and sometimes do come in. That said, I think there might have to be some workaround plan for ordering coffee from behind bar, as Oklahoma law would not allow underage to be AT the bar itself.

And, BTW, Vagabond is awesome.

The key is hitting the right vibe so a coffee place feels like a bar also. A lot of coffee places carry beer, but don't at all feel like a bar or attract people looking to have a drink. Anyway, I wish this concept was more common. I live within one block of four coffee shops that all close at 11pm -- one even has a full bar, but I wish one stayed open later. Besides, once I am close to finishing working I like to switch from coffee to beer. ;)

Under 21's can go into a bar area unless it's designated as adults only or is designated as ABC-3, which means they derive most their revenue from alcohol as opposed to food.

I would think a coffee establishment could work around those issues.

I don't think this is right. I bartended at an ABC-2 place back in the day. Even if the entire restaurant area was full, we couldn't allow couples with a baby to sit in the bar area. Go into any restaurant really, and there is signage that says "Must be 21 to enter" around the bar area.


I think District House is 3.2 only. That said, if ABC-2 youngsters could come inside, they just could not sit at bar. R&J is an example of a place that TOTALLY feels like a bar, but kids can and sometimes do come in. That said, I think there might have to be some workaround plan for ordering coffee from behind bar, as Oklahoma law would not allow underage to be AT the bar itself.

Can't sit at the bar, can't approach the bar, can't even be in the area. Could come inside the building, but there would need to be a designated bar "area" (defined surely by some ridiculous, dubious legalese) that is 21+ only. Basically, like I said in my last post, the bar would need to be separate from the regular ordering counter where everyone else ordered, OR, like R&J, have servers that tend the table sections. McNellie's would be another example of this set-up. But coffee shops rarely have servers...

^^^^^^
Restrictions have eased a bit in that bars are no longer required to have railings around them with "nobody under 21 in this area of these premises..." signs prominently displayed. But you and I are in agreement, and correct. A minor in Oklahoma is forbidden from approaching, sitting at or ordering from a bar area where liquor is stored/poured/served. Or, more precisely, establishments are forbidden from ALLOWING them to do so. This would preclude minors from ordering coffee from behind the same bar, regardless of the time of day.

Honestly, seems like the best workaround would be a separate coffee bar, similar to the way Kitchen 324 has a coffee bar separate from its order counter.

Does anyone know how Chimera works in Tulsa? Full bar, great coffee, thoughtful food. Chimera is the #1 thing I want to import from Tulsa.

Just came to Clarity for the first time. Nice atmosphere. Great pour over of Burundi Mpanga. WIll definitely come back. One other plus in their favor, it's not hot as satan's nutsack, like Slingers seems to always be