Geneva coffee house to add beer, wine to menu
A Geneva coffee house will be serving beer and wine when it reopens early next year.
The Geneva City Council recently approved a liquor license for Graham's 318 at 318 S. 3rd St.
The main site for Graham's 318 has been closed for renovations since January, but the business has continued operating in a "pop-up shop" at 316 Franklin St., according to Graham's Vice President Jayni Wunderlich. The establishment also has a chocolate and ice cream restaurant at 302 S. 3rd St., but the liquor license is just for the coffee shop.
"Everyone is really excited for the reopening of Graham's 318," Alderman Jeanne McGowan said.
Owner Robert Untiedt said the business will be pairing beer and wine with its other offerings.
"(Serving alcohol) is just to enhance somebody's experience at the shop," he said.
He said the plan is not for customers to just have beer alone. "You'll be enjoying it with food," he said.
They are still working out the hours.
The original plan was to offer beer and wine as nightcaps, manager Jennifer Farley told the council. But now Graham's will host events, such as bridal showers, in which alcohol would be served during the day.
Wunderlich said following the renovation, Graham's 318 will have an expanded menu and more seating while adding space on the second floor for meetings and special events. The hope to reopen in January.
The restaurant remains busy for lunch and dinner but the pop-up is "very small," Wunderlich said.
"We rented the space to stay open so our customers have a place to go," she said.
They pursued the liquor license to generate more business and offer choices for their customers.
"The focus will still be on coffee, but it will be nice to have the option (for beer and wine)" Wunderlich said. "People are looking for a place where they can have a glass of wine with their chocolate fondue.
There are other plans in the works for the coffee house, Wunderlich said, including a partnership with Penrose Brewing Company in Geneva.
"We would have beer tastings paired with some of the pastries at 318," she said.