Seattle-based coffee chain Caffe Vita to open in former Easley’s Fun Shop building

PHOENIX — A Seattle-based coffee chain is set to brew new life into a beloved building in downtown Phoenix with the opening of its first Arizona shop this weekend.

Caffe Vita celebrates its grand opening on Saturday on McDowell Road between Fifth and Sevenths avenues in the former Easley’s Fun Shop site.

The newcomer will offer signature items such as caffe del sol espresso, single origin coffees and oatdos – a cortado with oat milk – while honoring the former business that sold and rented costumes for 72 years until closing in 2018.

“It was important for us to give a nod to the beloved business that once called this space home, and we worked with Carol Easley and family to preserve as much of the building as possible while constructing a space that’s uniquely Caffe Vita,” Deming Maclise, owner of Caffe Vita, said in a press release.

“We think Phoenix residents will be pleasantly surprised at how much this space feels like an evolution of the location, rather than a takeover.”

Caffe Vita said it will preserve select interior and outdoor facets of Easley’s Fun Shop, including its signature yellow sign that says “our business is fun.”

Joining Caffe Vita in the space are local brewery Roses by the Stairs and men’s clothier Cave and Post, according to the release.

The coffee shop, which will roast its beans on-site in a vintage Probat UG 22, is also set to have seasonal options exclusive to the Phoenix location and slushy drinks.

The grand opening of the coffee shop, open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., will offer free oat milk lattes to go along with various prizes and live music from a DJ. Caffe Vita said it hopes to have regular DJ sets and live shows at the new location.

Along with coffee, the shop will also offer locally-baked pastries from La Grande Orange Bake Shop, Yo Donut and Suss Pastries, as well as breakfast specialties like vegan- and gluten-free passion fruit donuts.

The Phoenix location is the ninth for Caffe Vita, with other shops in Seattle, New York and Portland.

More information can be found on the coffee shop’s website.

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