Unique new coffee shop opens doors at the Old Woolen Mill
The brand-new Old Mill Coffee Co. is already a well-known establishment for Lee students.
Photo by Karina Radionova
A new coffee shop located at the Old Woolen Mill has LeeU raving about its homemade recipes, quirky interior design and affordable prices.
Old Mill Coffee Company won't have its official grand opening until next Friday, but the shop has already ushered in a staggering amount of customers.
Manager Miranda Dunn told Lee Clarion that the response has been overwhelming despite only having had a "soft opening."
"We weren’t going to do advertising, and just let it slowly trickle out," said Dunn. "The slowly trickling out turned into a two hour line out the door the first night we were open."
The owners, Martin and Paula LeCea, say the instant success of their business is due to their unique business model of taking into account the tight budgets and waking hours of college students.
The shop stays open until midnight, while most other coffee shops and chains lock their doors at 10 p.m.
Martin LeCea told Lee Clarion the couple's vision was to cater specifically to Lee students with their prices — their drip coffee is one dollar for a cup.
"Everybody is high priced, it’s way out there,” Martin LeCea said.
When asked about the shop's unique interior design, Martin LeCea said they were inspired by the original look of the old mill.
“We stood in this space and said, 'Well, it’s industrial,' and it just took off from there," he said. "As we were working on it, different pieces were coming into play. We’d go somewhere and just go, 'Hey look, this table looks good!'”
The hipster-type aesthetic is naturally appealing to the Lee community. Kailee Martin, a junior at Lee, called her first experience in the shop "amazing."
"It feels like I’m escaping from my normal surroundings. I feel at peace and the environment is very cozy and just pleasant,” said Martin.
Dunn said many of her customers have already commented on how different Old Mill feels from any other business in the Cleveland area,.
“I think it has a very unique environment," said Dunn. "Everyone who comes in says...it feels like a place you’d find in a bigger city.”
Some upcoming events will offer potential customers an opportunity to check out the shop's design and its unique drinks, like the Honey Lavender Latte and the Americola.
“We’re planning on doing the grand opening on the 22nd, and we’re hoping to do some live shows. We’re trying to get some bands and singers and do open mic nights, maybe even do an art night,” said Dunn.
