The Plywood Report: Caffe Spella

Portland espresso soul man Andrea Spella's new downtown coffee shop is on target for an early December opening, says staff at Spella's original coffee cart on SW 9th and Alder. As first reported by Portland Monthly, Spella is landing his new bricks-and-mortar cafe into a dinky space at 520 SW Fifth, ex-home to the short-lived Bikini Coffee Company, a swimsuit-clad barista concept that was a futile effort in this city of strip clubs and Stumptown Coffee Roasters.

Spella's original cart will remain as the new cafe marks one of two serious shops opening this winter in Portland's coffee-starved retail core. The second shop is Violetta, which will anchor Portland's newest public space, Director Park located on the uglier side of the Fox Tower. Caffe Spella espresso was recently called Portland's best by The New York Times.

· Spella To Open Downtown Cafe [Portland Monthly]
· Frugal Traveler on Portland [New York Times]