New corner coffee shop set for August opening in Glendale
A new corner coffee shop is on its way, and it will be located inside the historic Hotel Glendale building where Glendale Avenue meets Broadway.
Highlight Coffee is expected to open in August, and its owner said it will be part of the “third wave” of java spots, meaning it focuses on higher-quality cups of Joe.
“I am pretty geeky about coffee,” said proprietor Frank Kim. “I like to play around with everything out there. That’s how my shop is going be. It’s going to focus on quality and, definitely, a wide variety.”
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Kim used to be general manager at Demitasse in downtown Los Angeles, a coffee shop with alternating offerings such as Congo Hutwe Bukununu and Bolivia Finca Loyaza — exotic and imported pours that cost upward of $6 a cup.
He said he plans to bring that kind of style over to Highlight along with high-end espressos, lattes and cold brews.
While Kim admits some people view specialty coffee as pretentious and might be turned off, he’s going to tackle that stereotype.
“I kind of wanted to shy away from that and make it really approachable if anyone has any questions... We’re always encouraging people to ask us questions, and we’re always trying to share our excitement about coffee,” he said.
Part of the plan to draw in more casual coffee drinkers is to offer a few $3 options to compete with the big chains such as Starbucks and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.
But there isn’t much local competition at the independent level. Glendale isn’t saturated with “third wave” spots available in Silver Lake, Echo Park and downtown L.A.
That was part of the idea of wanting to start brewing in Glendale despite being a few blocks outside of the community’s downtown area.
“I kind of feel like I’m right in the middle, where I have a mix of the neighborhood and a lot of young professionals … I wanted to bring something like this to an area that’s underserved,” Kim said.
Some city officials share similar sentiments, saying there are only a handful of independent coffee shops in the city.
“Highlight Coffee supports the city’s 18-hour day initiative and rounds out the local coffee-and-breakfast scene,” said Jen McLain, the city’s principal economic development officer.
San Francisco-based Philz Coffee — opening this fall across from the Americana at Brand — will also be part of the city’s budding specialty-coffee community.
Kim’s new business will take over the now-closed Café Broadway and Deli inside the Hotel Glendale, which was built in 1924 and is listed on the city’s registry of historic places.
He said there will be seating for about 12 to 15 people, and food will be limited to pastries, though there may eventually be a light lunch menu.
Kim is in the process of remodeling and moving in an array of brewing machines.
“I’m trying to ‘highlight’ the experience of your coffee in your day,” he said.
Highlight Coffee will be located at 701 E. Broadway.
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Arin Mikailian, arin.mikailian@latimes.com
Twitter: @ArinMikailian
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