The Owensboro Magazine 2009

SMALL BUSINESS The Crème Brews Comfort Downtown By Matt Weafer he aroma of coffee and chocolate hangs in the air at The Crème Coffeehouse at 109 E. Second St. Customers watch the downtown bustle from their window seats, sipping lattes as they shut out the day with a book or talking to friends in the lounge or the courtyard. Crème owners Rosemary Conder and her The Creme Coffee House owners, Rosemary, left, and Larry Conder, center, share a light moment with their good friend Gayla Vittitow over coffee on Friday, April 11, 2008. The Creme Cafe, which offers a variety of coffee drinks, smoothies and sandwiches, is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. T “It’s a beautiful sitting area. It’s almost like one of the rooms in your house, very comfortable.” – Peter Malliaras, customer husband Larry didn’t plan on opening a coffeehouse when they bought the building. In fact, they already owned the building next door at 107 E. Second St. and they planned to expand their antique store, The Crowne, into it. “We wanted to open the wall between the two and make a big area,” Rosemary Conder said. “But it was a different area and in much worse shape.” But they had already purchased the location. “I said this building says coffeehouse,” she said. So with the help of friends and family The Crème was born. While decorating, she said, she was trying to capture the atmosphere of Central Perk from the TV series Friends. 2009 “It looked like a fun place to hang out — really cool,” Conder said. “We had been to a few places in New York City that had that old world eclectic mix.” Peter Malliaras, a regular at The Crème since the summer of 2008, said, “I come here with my computer and with the free Internet, beautiful décor and beautiful coffee it’s fun. It’s a great day.” The comfort of the building, which used to be an antique shop, helped create that atmosphere, too. “It’s a beautiful sitting area,” Malliaras said. “It’s almost like one of the rooms in your house, very comfortable.” Conder purchased some of the antiques left in the building to furnish the coffee shop and create the funky décor that alludes to downtown Owensboro nearly a century ago. “We believe in downtown,” Conder said. “We believe there is a possibility and probability of resurgence downtown.” The character and charm of the older buildings create an ambience while promenading 58 OWENSBORO

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Owensboro Magazine 2009

The Owensboro 2009 From our Chair Contents Buffalo Trace Brings History to Owensboro Environmental Education Blooms in the Garden Owensboro Arts and Cultural Events Making the Grade Building Opportunity In the Swim Economic Development through Placemaking Sister Cities brings International Benefits Embracing Innovation to spur Economic Development Creating a Pool of Skilled Workers Expanding Transportation Options One-Stop Business Licensing Robot Doctor Building a Locally-Based Food Economy Welcome to the Neighborhood Luxury Living on the River Moving In Trendy Excursions Evolves with the Times The Crème Brews Comfort Downtown Growing with the Community Family Business Boasts Longevity, Good Barbecue Entrepreneurial Spirit Comes Home Capturing the Broadway Market Ministering to Church Leaders Community at-a-Glance By the Numbers Dining & Catering Guide Advertiser Index

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