Tempe-based Cartel Coffee Lab is closing its shop in the lobby of the building on the northeast corner of First Street and Washington in downtown Phoenix on Saturday, but will re-open in a new space right next door in early August.
Until construction is finished, you’ll be able to get your Cartel fix at a temporary “pop-up” shop at the site of the new location. It will open Monday; hours will be 7 to 11 a.m. daily.
Meanwhile, Cartel’s new Tempe brewery – which MXSW reported back in October (see story) – finally is nearing completion. Dubbed The Shop Beer Company, it’s scheduled to open next month across from The Yard in the Farmers Art District.
When it opens, the small Cartel Brewery next to the original Tempe coffeehouse will close.
The brewery’s new name is part of an amiable parting of the ways between Cartel owner David Arnce and COO Hollie Mueller. Arnce will run the brewery, while Mueller will take over the roasting operation and six coffeehouses.
“I’m committed to giving the beer a voice of its own,†Arnce told MXSW last year. “I want to create an atmosphere tailored for beer.â€
Mueller reportedly is looking around the East Valley for a seventh Cartel Coffee Lab location.
