The coffee van was recently onsite and serving at the Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center January 7 thru 10.
By LAUREN ROMANO, VIEW STAFF WRITER
Centennial resident Pat Rodgers spent over two years researching coffee houses before he opened his own, Change Alley Old London Coffee House, 3350 Novat St., suite 105.
"I wanted something that truly had a coffee history," Rodgers said.
Rodgers found that London's first known coffeehouse opened for business in 1652 in Cornhill, London, also home of Change Alley, which was originally known as Exchange Alley. As politicians, locals and merchants gathered to exchange news and transact business, coffeehouses soon became social and commercial hubs.
"Change Alley had 600 to 700 coffee houses," Rodgers said. "They were different than today's because in that time people didn't have office buildings. In that time people went to conduct business and to socialize."
Rodgers said Change Alley is not a replica of an old London coffeehouse. He said he hopes that it will serve as a social and business hub in the same way the old English coffeehouses did.
"We're trying to capture how coffeehouses were unique gathering points. Today's coffeehouses are what I would consider fast food," he said. "Get as many people in and out as possible."
Change Alley has free wi-fi and an open seating area for people to come in have meetings or work on their computers.
Rodgers said he wanted to create a place where professionals could get away from their office and refuel.
"This area doesn't have other places like this," he said.
The store has outdoor tables, a gas fireplace and music playing quietly to add to the ambience.
A mural was painted along one wall that looks like the road filled with coffeehouses in London in the 1600s. Local artist, Chaz Passalarqua, painted the mural and has agreed to come back each month and make a small change. Any customer that can figure out what has changed will get their order for free.
Although many people may associate tea and not coffee with England, Rodgers said, "Back in that era England was a coffee drinking country."
Rodgers did not spend all of his time studying the history of the coffeehouse, he also hired consultants to help with the design, menu and employee training for a modern day cafe.
"I am trying to meet the needs of the community and recognize people," Rodgers said.
Along with his wife, Margot Rodgers and Tom Lisa, a partner, there are 14 employees at Change Alley. Rodgers said there is a strong emphasis on customer service.
"I try to personally greet most of the customers," he said. "It's the only way I can learn preferences."
He turned to local roaster and wholesaler, The Whole Bean, to create a unique blend for Change Alley.
Marc Matsul, president of The Whole Bean, said Rodgers gave him a sample of what coffees he liked and The Whole Bean created two blends that can only be found at Change Alley. The dark house blend contains South and Central American beans and the light house blend is a combination of South and Central American and African beans.
The Whole Bean imports beans raw and roasts them in Las Vegas. They sell the roasted beans at 3441 W. Sahara Ave., suite B1.
"(Rodgers) puts in an order on Tuesday, we roast (the beans) on Wednesday and he gets it on Thursday," Matsul said. "The freshness makes a huge difference."
Change Alley offers gourmet drip coffees from $1.35 to $1.90, a two-serving cup of French Press coffee for $2.50, cappuccino from $2.75 to $3.55 and caffe latte from $2.75 to $3.55. The menu also features hot and iced teas, hot chocolate and apple cider from $1.30 to $3.55. Flavored syrups can be added to any drink for 50 cents. There are free refills on the drip coffees.
Breakfast and lunch items are also available including pastries, scones, dessert bars, Cheesecake Factory cheesecake, cookies, grilled panini sandwiches and soup.