Slowly but surely, South Liberty Street is turning into a hub of community activity. Whether you’re looking for a place to practice yoga or grab a fresh juice, the wellness-oriented businesses in that little block near downtown can deliver. The area’s newest addition, Liberty House Coffee and Café, is slated to open in early March, bringing more food and drinks to the neighborhood’s table.
Located next door to the Asheville Yoga Center, the coffee shop will be housed in a 1920s-era home, and owner Dylan Glasgow plans to keep the vibe cozy and comfortable. Glasgow is custom-designing the space along with a group of local artists and craftsmen.
“Collaborating with local artists is making it possible to create an atmosphere that is one-of-a-kind,” Glasgow says. “Peter Rocks is creating a phenomenal stone patio. Frank Belo is working on all the custom carpentry, including an awesome pallet wall and pallet bar [built from repurposed wooden pallets]. Al Murray has done a ton of custom metalwork, and Lexington Glassworks is designing some killer hand-blown lights.”
Glasgow is working to create a place where people will want to linger. Guests will be able to sink into an indoor couch, get some fresh air on one of the outdoor patios or even grab a game of badminton, horseshoes or cornhole in the huge field right off the deck.
All in the family
An Asheville native, the 21-year-old Glasgow grew up a few blocks from his new business venture. Just down the street, his parents used to own the Beaufort House Inn. Here, the importance of giving people the best possible customer service was instilled in him. And he admits that he’s always had a passion for coffee and coffee shops, good food and helping people.
So, when his father, Robert Glasgow, who owns the building where Liberty House Coffee and Café is located, told him that he was trying to find someone to open a business there — potentially a coffeehouse — he jumped at the chance. “I couldn’t help but find a way to make that tenant me,” he says. “We came to an agreement, and I took on the project almost a year ago. My father helped with the construction too.”
The 25-seat café will serve breakfast and lunch and will include a coffee/espresso bar featuring Penny Cup Coffee, an Asheville-based, small-batch roaster. The food menu will include an array of baked goods made daily in-house that will feature Glasgow’s mom’s recipes for raspberry-and-cornmeal, zucchini and peaches-and-cream muffins.
“We are committed to using great ingredients,” Glasgow says. “As much as possible, we will source local and organic.”
The menu is still being developed, but Glasgow says to expect bagels, breakfast sandwiches, homemade granola, fresh fruits, possibly breakfast tacos and many other items. Lunch will feature soups made in-house by Glasgow’s aunt, plus sandwiches, salads and lunch toasts.
Glasgow says he eventually hopes to be open for late-night desserts and specialty coffee too, but right now he’s focused on introducing locals and visitors to a cool place to chill during the day.
Liberty House Coffee and Café is scheduled to open at 221 S. Liberty St. in early March. For updates, check the restaurant’s website and Facebook page.
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