It’s a universal truth that having a go-to coffee shop is just plain cool. Coffee lovers dream of a place where they are known, and so is their order, the second they walk in the door. Such is the environment that Tiffani Kocsis seeks to create at Middle Ground Neighborhood Coffeehouse coming to 718 N Buckner Blvd this spring. Tiffani explained her vision for the east Dallas coffeehouse to What Now Dallas, starting with way-back inspiration.
“I’ve been someone who’s spent my life in coffee shops. It’s not hyperbole. I started spending my evenings hanging with friends at Bean Town in Sierra Madre, California when I was in high school. I worked and studied at them in college, had first dates and friend dates, escaped my little ones to write my dissertation at them, did my lesson plans and grading in them,“ Tiffani said. “I love a local coffee shop. Unfortunately, while there are great shops in the area for a grab and go, I haven’t yet found the place in East Dallas where I can do any and all those things.”
Tiffani is clear that in addition to good coffee, her goal is to create a place where patrons of all walks of life can feel comfortable, settle in and stay a while. “The goal is to create the space that anyone might need in the moment. We’ve got great coffee from OCCR and plan to offer a mix of traditional and “fun” espresso options.”
Middle Ground will offer private rooms for work, and play. “We have two private work rooms that will have screens for mirroring projects or presentations for all our neighbors who work from home but may need to take a meeting or want to host a study group or even a small book club,” Tiffani told What Now Dallas. “And, as a parent, I know it can be daunting to try and get your toddler to sit through a marathon coffee date with your best friend, so we’ve got an alcove that will have games and a TV with movies so they can have a good time too.”
Tiffani’s plan is to include the whole neighborhood — even local businesses.
“I believe that you only get that neighborhood feel if people can see that you’ve curated your offerings especially for them — the kale salad from RM 12:20, the bagels from Lubbies, pastries from Haute Sweets — they’re part of the fabric of east Dallas and I can’t imagine providing anything else.”
“My ultimate goal is for everyone to feel like this is a place for them. That when someone comes to town they say, “let me take you to MY coffee shop.” Watch for updates on Instagram @eastdallasmiddleground.
