Local coffee shops are nothing new, but they aren’t often forced to shut their doors.
Perks Coffee & Tea, located on Perkins Road and Horace Street, has been officially closed since early March, and when the building became available, a former Perks manager jumped at the opportunity to reopen it.
James David Welsh, owner of Garden District Coffee, rented out the location.
“I simply rented the building and started a new business,” Welsh said. “We wanted to get the doors open as soon as possible.”
Welsh wanted to open in early April and rehire Perks’ staff.
“We hired no new employees when we re-opened,” Welsh said. “All of the employees have been working here for at least two years.”
Welsh worked at Perks on and off for years before it closed.
“I was actually here when it was shut down,” Welsh said. “I had to ask the people and employees there to leave.”
Carol Ann Bryant, communication disorders and psychology sophomore, frequented to Perks before it closed.
“I loved the atmosphere,” Bryant said. “I was always able to study, read a book, or just catch up with a friend there. It was always a friendly place.”
Welsh loves Garden District Coffee’s strong neighborhood customer base. He said people come in daily for coffee and to read or talk.
“People like coming into a coffee shop and seeing someone they recognize every day,” Welsh said.
Welsh said his goal is to get the store running smoothly, but he has other plans for the space.
“We want to do some cosmetic work,” Welsh said. “We are planning to add an acoustic music set to the coffee shop.”
Welsh said the shop’s hours are “good for students.”
“We’re [open] from 6:30 a.m. until 11 p.m. during the week,” Welsh said.
Bryant is planning to market Garden District Coffee as a place to study for finals.
“The location is convenient, and it’s less crowded than the other chain coffee shops near campus,” Bryant said.
Perks always had a special charm, according to Bryant, and Welsh is confident that customers will transfer to Garden District Coffee.
“People know each other here,” Welsh said. “When we first reopened, customers were hugging the cashier. Customers have really taken ownership of the coffee shop.”
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Contact Taylor Balkom at [email protected]