By: Stephen Haymond
The Strand theater on Main Street has sat empty now for many years. It used to be a mainstay of the town to come see various shows or movies. Like many of the old institutions on mainstreet, it closed. Luckily, an enterprising citizen sees the space as an opportunity. Meet Sean Eichelberger. He has worked as a Barista at Joe Muggs for 12 years. He sees the Strand Coffee House as an opportunity to create a unique experience in the city of Montevallo.
The only other coffee institution in Montevallo is C’s Cake and Coffee house. A wonderful Cafe with outdoor seating and ample food options. But the Strand seeks to offer something a little different. While C’s offers a cafe style atmosphere with outdoor seating and food at the forefront of the experience, Strand Coffee is seeking to bring a premium Coffee House atmosphere to its location, located next door to El Agave.
The Strand theater sat in disrepair for years so the renovation needed to bring it to working order has been lengthy. But well worth the time invested. “It’s been super exciting to walk down main street and see progress,” says Montevallo student Cole Broadhead. Cole is an avid coffee drinker and though C’s has a great selection, “Having something different much closer to home will be big for me”
Main Street is integral to the DNA of Montevallo. So many businesses have opened and closed their doors in recent years, and the Strand theater has been sitting ready to be reopened.
Covid has wreaked havoc on the restaurant and food business. Montevallo businesses operate on a thin margin. There is only 6,900 or so residents residing in Montevallo. A business who’s only customers reside from that small of a population does not have a cushion to withstand the multitude of problems that covid provided.
Multiple businesses had to delay openings. With the wing joint Soul Spot only opening last semester and the Donut shop by C’s still yet to open. Yet Coffee seems to be a much steadier investment.
Sabrina Smith, an employee at C’s says that ever since she’s been working there business has been great. “We never really are lacking customers whenever I work” though with a new Coffee joint opening up there is some worry that their business could be affected. “It’s definitely something we hope doesn’t happen.” If previous factors have any indication the safe bet would be that both stores will have ample customers. Coffee is something that people need even through the pandemic.
The Strand Coffee House aims to be the new hub for Coffee in Montevallo. C’s coffee House is still present and busier than ever. We all are set to be spoiled for choice if ever we need a fresh cup of coffee, hopefully that choice remains open to all Montevallo residents for a long time.
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