Lasaters opens new location in Downtown Cleveland

All photos by Senior Photographer Isaac Vacheresse.

Lasaters Coffee & Tea opened a new location at the beginning of June in downtown Cleveland. This location, on North Ocoee Street, is only a three-minute walk from the Communication Arts building.

Owner Matt Coleman said the reason for opening this new downtown location is the close proximity to Lee University. Lasaters currently has 25 employees, 18 of which are Lee students, and five are alumni. Coleman hopes to hire more students from Lee.

Zachary Bailey, a Lee University alumnus, is a manager at the new Lasaters location. Bailey said the new coffee shop was designed with students in mind.  

According to Bailey, this coffee shop has stronger internet, more booths and power strips at every table to better accommodate students with laptops. Lasaters plans to host a game night and trivia night once a month. As students settle into their routines this semester, Bailey hopes they will try out the new location and engage in the community.

Zachary Bailey, a Lee University alumni and barista.

“[The location] was very convenient,” said Emily Jennings, a senior communications major at Lee University.

Jennings is not the only Lee student who has enjoyed the short walk from campus.

Emily Harris, a political science major with a minor in Latin, said, “It is close to Lee University, and studying there is nice because of the atmosphere and outlets being at every table.”

Lasaters differs from other coffee shops with their “Pay it Forward” option. This allows anyone to pay for a coffee or food item for someone else in the community. The system is completely anonymous, but many buyers leave kind notes behind for the next customer.

The coffee shop is housed in the building that used to be Craigmiles Hall Opera House. According to the Society of Architectural Historians, the opera house was originally built by Walter Craigmiles who settled in Cleveland in 1849. The space was previously home to Cobblestone Grille, which closed in 2020.

The new coffee shop joins a handful of others within walking distance of Lee University. Cleveland Coffee and Market, Parish Meeting House, Gardner’s Market and Fork and Spoon are also within walking distance of campus.

To learn more about Lasaters Coffee & Tea, check out their Instagram page.