Crumbs in my 'Stache: Jackson Hole Roasters expands next door

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

By Ben Cannon

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-For the last five years, Jackson Hole Roasters has served house-roasted coffee and espresso with few frills to a loyal, java-drinking clientele, many of who live or work in East Jackson.

The rustic, cabin-style building – which also houses business owner Jack Malia in the back apartment – is on a register of historic places, though it often goes unnoticed by passersby wandering along the sleepier side of Broadway, east of the Town Square.
Despite a lack of seating, which is limited to a couple of stools that share floor space with roasting equipment, a porch swing and outdoor picnic table, Jackson Hole Roasters has cultivated a growing following of regulars who cite the quality of coffee as reason for go.

“It’s the best coffee I’ve ever had,” said Matt Wilkins, a sarcastic bartender and regular who sipped a cup of Bolivian Teaberry on a recent morning. Though Wilkins and Malia exchanged morning pleasantries (it being off-season for professional football, there was little point of contention between them for supporting opposing teams) Wilkins did not have to deal with Malia directly. Instead he used the honor jar, a system that allows customers to get in and out without having to wait.

“You come in, fill up your own cup, throw your two bucks in the jar and you’re gone,” Wilkins said. The popular honor jar points to an intimate valley business, the kind that locals decide to get behind as much for the quality of its product as for the serene experience of walking into a historic home and stepping out, coffee in hand, onto a quiet, leafy block with the summer tourist bustle occurring a deceivingly short distance away on the square.

But, as early as next week, locals and regulars will be sharing the secret, as Jackson Hole Roasters expands next door, into an old home formerly occupied by Caswell Gallery.

“The idea is to be a real presence in Jackson right now,” Malia said, dispelling any idea that Jackson Hole Roasters, like Jackson Hole itself, should be held as some elusive gem only for those in the know.

In case any of this was interpreted as something to rue, here’s the good news: Jackson Hole Roasters will open seven days a week and, tentatively, keep hours from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., making it the valley’s only coffee shop that operates at night. And a place that currently has none of the amenities of a modern American café – comfortable seating, wireless internet, expanded food offerings, credit card machine – will soon offer them next door and in the comfortable setting of a lovely, old home with a freshly painted interior.

Malia will continue to roast coffee and reside in the current location, and he and business partner Chris Richter hope to open the expanded Roasters – featuring desserts by premier valley chocolatier Ciocollato and wraps and salads from Planet Palate – by next week.

“It will be the place to come and have coffee and dessert after a movie,” Richter said.
It remains to be seen whether the honor jar will survive the move.

Photo by SPENCER SIMENSEN
Chris Richter, left, and Jack Malia look west.

PERMALINK:
Crumbs in my 'Stache: Jackson Hole Roasters expands next door | Planet JH News Article: Restaurants And Dining

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