We love seeing a cafe dismantling the antiquated notions that good coffee only exists in big cities, and that’s exactly what’s happening at 392Caffe in Utica, but not even the Utica you are thinking of. This one’s in Iowa.
Now with their third location 392Caffe brings a unique, modern design aesthetic to northeast Iowa, featuring coffee from the inimitable Brandywine Coffee Roasters. To learn more, we spoke with 392Caffe owners Jay and Jenna Sanders.
The 2021 season of Build-Outs is presented by Fellow. The series is sponsored by La Marzocco, Pacific Barista Series, Marco Beverage Systems, Dona, and Sustainable Harvest.
As told to Sprudge by Jay and Jenna Sanders.
For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?
Your favorite craft coffee experience since 2011. 392Caffe brings love, inclusivity, quality, hospitality, and experience to the Midwest coffee scene. Our ambitions are simple; to #LevelUp your lifestyle with three instructions: #DrinkBetterCoffee #EatBetterFood #BeBetterPeople.
From the time you arrive at one of our three Eastern-Iowa locations until you’re on your way out, you’re treated like friends and family as we strive to #BeTheLight in the communities we serve! We’d love to serve you!
Can you tell us a bit about the new space?
392Utica is located on Utica Ridge Road on the border of Davenport and Betterndorf, IA in an upscale services/shopping/business district. This location features a cool/clean/modern/minimalistic design concept that highlights the warmth and personality of our staff and brand. Our first drive-thru location had to be done “our way,” so you literally drive into our space with design/lights/sounds and our amazing crew will approach your car to deliver the same hospitality you’re accustomed to at 392Caffe.
We’re excited for you to see it!
What’s your approach to coffee?
High-quality. No pretentiousness.
Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?
A Mahlkönig E80 Supreme and E65S Grinders, an M1 Puqpress, St. Anthony’s Industries Wedge Distributor, and a custom La Marzocco KB90 ABR three-group up the espresso program with re-mineralized RO Water. An EK43S and custom Ground Control Cyclops heads up the Batch Brew Program. We have a 12 Tap Kegerator from which we dispense Cold Brew/Nitro/Batch-Brewed Lattes (courtesy of the Ground Control Cyclops) ft. Chobani Barista Series Oat Milk/Craft Iced Teas/Local Kombucha/Etc. We also offer pour-overs of our featured craft coffees via Kalita/Chemex/Hario.
All of this equipment and our knowledgeable baristas make our craft coffee partnership with Brandywine Coffee Roasters shine! We aim to inspire you to #DrinkBetterCoffee!
How is your project considering sustainability?
In a world of COVID-era, to-go only regulations, we serve in fully compostable/biodegradable service ware. We can’t wait to get back to mugs and ceramics… one day 🤞
What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?
Grand Opening Early September. We’ve been soft-opened since July.
Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?
All of our amazing partners are worth mentioning, but our customers make this all possible, so we’ll keep the credit on them! ;)
Thank you!
Thank YOU!
The 2021 season of Build-Outs is presented by Fellow. The series is sponsored by La Marzocco, Pacific Barista Series, Marco Beverage Systems, Dona, and Sustainable Harvest.
