Legacy Coffee announces move to Main Avenue location

After more than a month of turmoil following a forced move, a coffee shop and its legion of regulars can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Legacy Coffee Company has found a new home. And not only does it keep the shop in downtown, it moves it to the bright lights of Main Avenue.

“Can’t wait to open this new chapter,” said Owner Brad Graves. “This place feels like it was meant for us.”

He shared a video on social media showcasing the “long, arduous hike to the location.” The tongue-in-cheek posting has him stroll just a single block to Legacy’s new home, about a minute total, to the space last occupied by Barley Sprout Pizza.

That location, 112 N. Main Ave., is a perfect fit. Its larger, right along Main Avenue, and stays within downtown Gresham, meaning regulars don’t have to steel themselves for a journey to continue supporting their beloved coffee shop.

“Main Street is so beautiful, and all I can think about is that we get to be there on that corridor,” Graves said with a beaming smile. “It feels like the set of a Hallmark Movie.”

“We have always been a part of Gresham, but now we are at its core,” he added.

While there is plenty of work to be done, and the unavoidable growing pains that come with a move, the Legacy team is already excited about the possibilities.

The building has nearly three-times the square footage. The kids area will be twice as large, and there will be twice as many community tables. The “comfy” chairs will make the move, and more places to hunker down will be brought in.

The kitchen is larger, and will eventually accommodate more food options. Graves wants to push into evening service.

“The way to push into evenings here is with events,” he said. “Live music, trivia, coffee events.”

They have talked about barista competitions, a roasters panel, coffee and food pairings, Q&As with experts, and more.

“The space will be bigger, but we won’t change,” Graves said. “Everything about the space will be more intentional.”

The ink is dried on the lease. Legacy gets the keys Monday, May 20, and are working to get everything ready for the opening. The final day in the current location, 75 N.W. First St., which they are being forced out of due to a new landlord and a proposed 40-60% rent hike, is June 25. If everything goes as planned, the new coffee shop will open its doors Monday, July 1.

There is a chance to see it ahead of time. Legacy is planning a VIP soft launch the night before, Sunday, June 30. Tickets are $20 a person, which goes toward the ongoing fundraising effort to support the move, and includes a drink and food item. They, along with other merchandise, is available for purchase at the counter.

You can also support on GoFundMe: tinyurl.com/597a3y8v.

What has moved Graves and his team is the support that has poured in beyond financial donations. Dozens have offered to move furniture and equipment down the block to the new home, as well as paint. There have been donations of furniture and other supplies. And lots of messages of support.

That includes a social media post and donation from “competitor” Café Delirium, a mainstay coffee purveyor in downtown Gresham, who have championed their neighbors throughout the move.

“Café D didn’t have to say anything, didn’t have to give, but they did, and it meant a lot,” Graves said. “We have never seen them or Jazzy Bagels, or Sugar Cubed, or M&M Restaurant and Lounge, as our ‘cut-throat’ competition.”

“We all may sell coffee, but more importantly we offer community,” he added.

This has not been a fun process for Graves or his team. It has been stressful, and came at an unideal time. While Legacy has envisioned a move to a larger space, the plan was for it to come years down the road.

But this new location has been the perfect silver lining.

“If we didn’t have this awful thing happen to us, we wouldn’t have this opportunity to find ourselves on Main Street,” Graves said. “Ever since I signed the lease I feel the release of pressure. I don’t feel alone, I feel supported and that there are people in this community who realize our value.”