When restaurateur Joe Johnston (pictured) renovated and preserved much of Gilbert’s historic Liberty Market back in 2008, one decidedly un-Arizona addition was a vintage Faema E61 espresso machine.
For an Italophile and coffee expert like Johnston (he founded the Valley’s Coffee Plantation chain back in 1989), the Faema E61 not only is one of the best espresso machines ever built, it’s also a work of art.
Liberty Market’s E61 was bought used in Milan, Italy, then painstakingly refurbished by Mr. Espresso in Oakland. When Liberty opened in October 2008, it became the centerpiece of the eatery’s E61 espresso bar.
To celebrate the 49th birthday of Liberty’s E61, the downtown market will be giving away free classic Italian coffee drinks – espresso, macchiato, and cappuccino – from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday. No to-go cups are allowed.
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