By TIPHERET PEÑA / Murphy News Service
Overflow Espresso Cafe, located in Prospect Park, closed its doors for the last time Saturday, Nov. 21 when they sold off their merchandise after seven and a half years of business to make way for a new apartment complex.
“We are choosing to do this,” Jeff Barnhart, property manager for Prospect Park Properties and Overflow, said in an email. “We are all feeling a little sad (we had a good seven and a half year run), but are happy we were able to make it such a success.”
The cafe was open for a limited time Saturday in an effort to sell off the remainder of its products, including loose-leaf tea, dining ware, silverware, cooking utensils, bulk items of food and sweeteners and furniture.
The merchandise lay neatly organized on tables lined up against the wall, coaches for sale were still damp from being steam-cleaned that morning and bakery items circled the mug fountain that epitomized the cafe’s atmosphere. Customers roamed about the store, negotiating prices on tea and dining ware and enjoying their drinks and bakery items on what tables and chairs were left.
“This is one of my favorite study spots,” said customer Audrey McIntyre. “I’m really sad about it … I’m gonna have to find somewhere new to sit and do homework.”
Overflow first opened on June 4, 2007, but it took about three years before its owners were able to break even. A few years later, the construction of the Green Line light rail station next to the cafe’s property threatened to shut it down temporarily in 2011 according to an article from the Twin Cities Daily Planet.
Some customers said they enjoyed the cafe’s proximity to the station. “I really liked how it was like super close to the light rail,” said customer Sam Bullis. “It was a nice place to come and do work.”
While the placement of the Prospect Park light rail station directly across from Overflow may have increased visibility and customer traffic, it resulted in major changes to the cafe’s property. To make space for the station, the 28-car parking lot was reduced, a large pond that once sat at the base of the cafe was drained and its fountain was removed and replaced with rocks.
This summer, CA Ventures, a Chicago-based developer, proposed the construction of a massive development at 2929 University Ave. SE that would include a 258-unit apartment complex, a 120-room hotel and about 36,000 square feet of commercial space that would incorporate a grocery store, restaurant and liquor store, according to The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
The project called for the demolition of the two buildings that house Overflow, as well as an Anytime Fitness location, a daycare center, offices and an auto-repair shop.
Barnhart seems optimistic about the change. “This is an amazing project for the area. This project is very good for everyone,” he said.
Some customers disagreed and said they were frustrated with the future plans for the property. “There are so many apartment complexes around this area, there don’t need to be more,” said McIntyre.
Other customers, like Keith Landsman, seemed more understanding. “There’s a demand for apartments, so I assume that’s why they’re shifting to that,” he said.
Since the announcement of their closing, the cafe left surveys for customers to complete to consider the potential of reopening at a different location. Regardless of their opinions about the new apartments, customers could agree on one thing: they don’t want this to be the end of Overflow.
McIntyre and Bullis both filled out surveys in hopes that Overflow owners will reopen in the future. “I have my fingers crossed!” Bullis said.
Landsman was also hopeful for the cafe’s future. “I’d go to the new location,” he said.
Barnhart is taking customers’ opinions seriously. “We are seriously entertaining reopening Overflow in the future,” he said.
While Barnhart is still considering his plans for Overflow’s future, he can rest assured that the cafe had a lasting impact.
“Our customers have been wonderful to us. We have received many thanks and emails thanking us for the time we did give Overflow to the community,” Barnhart said.
Reporter Tipheret Peña is studying journalism at the University of Minnesota.