Chip and I have a history of pulling the trigger on projects that feel right in our gut, even before we’ve fully wrapped our minds around what they’ll become. One of these moments happened a little over a year ago, when we bought a building that sits just one block down from the Silos without having a clear vision for what we were going to do with it.
Our dream for the Silos grounds has always been for it to be a place where people can relax and take a break from the demands of life. Whether it’s on the lawn watching kids play, in the garden with its seasonal blooms, or in the market with all the beautiful displays—our hope is that this place creates moments and memories with your loved ones. When we evaluated what we felt was missing from the overall experience and how we could use the old building next door, everyone on our team agreed a good corner coffee shop would make the perfect fit.
Coffee has a way of grounding me—that morning cup is a simple reminder to celebrate the new day, and then there’s the occasional afternoon cup that serves as a pick-me-up and gives me something to look forward to. One of my favorite things to do on a quiet weekend is grab a cup of coffee to-go with my girls and shop around all the local boutiques. There’s just something about holding that cup of coffee that slows me down and makes the moments feel richer.
Whether I’m in a new city or revisiting one I’ve been to many times, I love to stop into a coffee shop and take some time to soak in the space. Every coffee shop seems to create its own magical cozy world full of personality, character, and charm. The chatter, the aromas, and the warmth all invite me to stop and reflect—even if only for a moment.
It’s this type of experience we want to continue to create at the Silos grounds. So this fall, we will be opening our coffee shop, Magnolia Press! When our team brainstormed on the name we kept coming back to this idea of a french press and the slower (but very rewarding) process of making a rich, good cup of coffee.
It felt symbolic for what we hope people find here with us—a spot to slow down, to take it all in, and to simply savor the moment. In a world where everything feels rushed and fast-moving, there’s a familiar and worthwhile pause waiting for us in a good cup of coffee.
While construction is happening and there isn’t much to see over at the renovation site, I thought it would be fun to show you all a peek at the design renderings for the space.
I want the style of the space to be symbolic of times past, and for guests to feel a sense of history and familiarity—almost like stepping into a place they’ve been before. The shop will have long library style tables for community seating; and I’m incorporating darker wood tones, deep rich paint hues, and beautiful leather seating that remind me of old, classic libraries where all I want to do is curl up with a book or a journal.
If you’re visiting us this summer, you will definitely see that it’s coming along! We’re excited to keep you updated on the progress through our social media and our newsletter. And, when we open in the fall, we hope you’ll stop in for a cup of coffee at Magnolia Press—and that it offers you a chance to slow down and take it all in.
Rendering images provided by David Nisbet, AIA with CP&Y Architecture
