Something is brewing at the corner of Tejon and Boulder in downtown Colorado Springs. If you’ve driven by lately, you may have noticed that the windows in the former Wild Goose Meeting House have been covered in black paper. Is the anticipation killing you? It was us. What’s coming soon is the Best Coffee & Lounge: a blend of sophistication and comfort, a refined yet welcoming destination for coffee, cocktails and conversation, says owner Tim Hines.
You may know restaurateurs Tim and Monse Hines from their Monse’s Taste of El Salvador and Saigon Cafe. (You can read Monse’s story here.) Now they are almost ready to reveal what they’ve keeping under wraps for their next project, with partners Humberto Cabrera and Rudy Ramos. And the Best Coffee & Lounge could open as soon as April or May.
A Space with History
For the Hineses, selecting their new location was intentional. “We love being on the north end of downtown,” Tim says. “There’s close access to galleries; people are out exploring during First Friday Art Walks. We want [Colorado College] students riding their bikes down. We want to welcome people as they enter downtown or be the last experience they have when they’re leaving.”
The space itself carries significance. It was home to the popular Wild Goose Meeting House for nearly 11 years, which was owned by current Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade.
“There’s a uniqueness to this space. There is history here,” Tim says. “Yemi was a business partner before he was our mayor. He was a small business owner, and he has been extremely supportive, stopping by and offering encouragement.”
What to Expect Inside the Best Coffee & Lounge
Behind the currently blacked-out windows, guests are in for a grand reveal of upscale vibes. Imagine light-colored white marble, earth tones and elegant leather-bound chairs. Expansive mirrors behind the bar create a modern, sophisticated feel. A large indoor space will accommodate private gatherings of up to 15 people while the outdoor patio will span the length of the building, incorporating modern lighting and fire pits. There is also a new fireplace inside for cozy coffee or cocktail meetups.
The menu will emphasize simplicity and quality, with an effort to locally source as many ingredients as possible. “Monse is developing the menu, so there will be some familiar favorites from Monse’s Pupuseria as well as other light menu items and baked goods,” Tim says.
Beverage options will include beer on tap, craft cocktails, mocktails and coffee-infused cocktails.
The Hineses envision the Best Coffee & Lounge as an all-day destination. “We’re hoping to eventually be open seven days a week, all times of the day,” Tim says. “Events will be season-driven, so stay tuned for live music and other happenings.”
Community and Future Plans
Tim is quick to acknowledge the support of the Downtown Partnership in making this new restaurant possible, and his passion for downtown. “It’s our home!” he says, emphasizing his dedication to investing in the city’s growth.
And he and Monse are not done. Beyond the Best Coffee & Lounge, the Hineses have additional projects in the works.
The reopening of Mountain Shadows Restaurant is on the horizon. After buying the longtime Westside restaurant, the Hineses plan to expand the kitchen and hours to modernize operations. Watch for a late summer or fall launch.
And an expansion of Monse’s Pupuseria is a possibility. “The community really embraced Monse’s, and we’d love to open a second location. Stay tuned,” Tim says.
As the Hineses focus on making meaningful contributions to the city’s dining scene, one space at a time, Colorado Springs foodies have a lot to look forward to.
Find more details and follow the progress on their Facebook page.
