A summertime getaway to Greece. Sounds pretty nice, no?
We’re taking you today in this latest edition of Build-Outs. This not our first dispatch from the island of Crete, nor is it the first time we’ve featured Kross Coffee Roasters, who took part in the Build-Outs of Coffee feature series all the way back in 2015. Here in 2025, they’re reimagining a late-1800’s multi-story building for a truly unique experience. We speak with folks at Kross to learn more.
The 2025 Build-Outs of Coffee is sponsored by Pacific Barista Series, La Marzocco, Ceado, and Dona.
As told to Sprudge by Sotos Michael.
For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?
We are Kross, proudly roasted in Chania.
Our journey as coffee roasters begins at our Tsouderon street location in Chania, Crete. We already had a specialty relationship with coffee prior to that since 2010 with another two specialty coffee shops also located in Chania. Over the years we have been involved in coffee championships and now proudly serve as judges to competition.
Our award winning roastery is home to our mission of being the voice of the extraordinary work done by farmers somewhere in the world between 1,400 and 2,400 meters above sea level.
Can you tell us a bit about the new space?
A late-1800s neoclassical building which was initially built to be used as a store on its underground floor and ground floor. The first floor housed the owners of the building. The building had a beautiful outdoor yard. We took on the this abandoned for quite a few years space and planned a complete overhaul to initial glory. Upgrading it structurally and making all necessary adjustments so that it was accessible to everyone to move around in and out.
The courtyard was restored with a new terrazzo floor and the interior completely redone. The space is spread over three levels. The lower floor features a studio space where we plan to house events ranging from private talks to a morning yoga class. Our ground floor houses our bar which is centered in the middle of the space and looks out towards one of the largest parks in town just 150 meters from the venetian harbor. Our top floor is more of a working space where you can enjoy a cup and pull out a laptop or read a book. The outdoor yard features olive trees preserved from the initial building a well and the beautiful terrazzo flooring. We have set up a dedicated coffee retail and merchandise space as well as the La Marzocco home full range of machines.
What’s your approach to coffee?
Our daily interaction with the community is inspired by the traditional connections of the Kafeneia (village coffeehouses) in small towns. Kross Coffee serves as an informal meeting point for friends who gather daily to discuss both local and international matters, fostering a sense of connection and camaraderie.
We believe that we are here to make an impact on our surrounding community and make life just that little bit more beautiful.
Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?
We feature small lots of coffee from all around the world and have an array of them based on seasonality. Kit wise we have quite a treat. A three-group La Marzocco Strada X straight in, three La Marzocco Swan grinders and an EK43 by Mahlkönig. We will also be serving an amazing soft serve ice cream in collaboration with Oatly.
How is your project considering sustainability?
Kross is super focussed on sustainability. All our packaging is fully recyclable and we also look to work with companies that are carbon neutral. We choose organic cotton for our merch series. All our coffee pucks are collected from all our stores where we collaborate with a local winery to use them as composte to fetrilise vineyards.
What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?
June 15th 2025.
Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?
The whole space has been created from scratch with local craftsmen. All the woodwork has been done locally by Giannis Garefalakis, our metalwork and all our outdoor as well as some of the indoor furniture has been crafted by the team of Ilias Tsagrakis. The Terrazzo floor made by one of the original craftsmen left on the island Mr Ioannis Papademetriou. The whole space was designed by our interior design team led by Marianda Michael as part of her final presentation at The University of Nicosia interior design department.
Thank you!
You’re the best.
The 2025 Build-Outs of Coffee is sponsored by Pacific Barista Series, La Marzocco, Ceado, and Dona.
