Cedar Coffee opens on North Monroe Street

Cedar Coffee has opened in the location that used to house Coeur Coffeeshop.

The new coffee shop opened Wednesday with a soft launch, fresh coat of paint, new carpet, decorative stone accent walls in the back room and at least one familiar face.

Barista and coffee roaster Kyle Siegel, a former Coeur employee who now helps roast at Spokane’s Roast House, is working a couple of days a week at Cedar, owned by Igor and Iryna Anisimov and managed by Kira Elmer.

Cedar features select pastries from Common Crumb Artisan Bakery and coffee from Roast House, including its popular Cafe de Americas blend which uses beans from Central America and carries notes of cocoa, toffee and caramel. It’s a favorite of Cedar owner Igor Anisimov. The plan, Siegel said, is to always have it available as well as another rotating espresso from Roast House.

The initial menu “is very traditional,” Siegel said. But, offerings, along with business hours, could expand as time goes on. For now, the shop is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.

Look for a classic espresso drinks as well as a variety of loose-leaf teas from Davidson’s Organic Teas in Nevada and chai from Spokane’s Mandala Chai Co.

There’s a new counter top and coffee bar, which seats three on stools, as well as new shelving and a La Marzocco espresso machine. Colors are warm earth tones. The ambiance is inviting and casual yet elegant, with plenty of natural light from front windows overlooking North Monroe Street.

Igor and Iryna Anisimov, who came here from Ukraine, were regular customers at Coeur before it closed in early April. “They were here every day,” Siegel said.

Coeur Coffeehouse announced its abrupt closure on social media April 2, writing on Instagram, “It’s been a wild ride. Unfortunately we’re closing the door at Coeur. Really wish we could’ve given everyone more notice.”

Coeur’s closure came less than a week after culinary guru Alton Brown stopped by for two cortados. The coffee shop lasted about five years and was known for its house-made syrups and exclusive use of whole milk.

Cedar might start making syrups in-house, Siegel said. Meantime, the shop is still getting its footing.

Its name symbolizes strength and longevity. Siegel said Igor Anisimov explained it this way: “Big tree in my country. Strong. Lasts long time.”

Siegel is working at Cedar on Friday and Sunday “for now,” he said. He’s at Roast House Monday through Thursday and Saturday. “I’m all coffee all the time,” he said.