A popular downtown coffee shop will soon nearly triple the space for customers to enjoy a beverage, a pastry or lunch on its outdoor patio.
Innkeeper’s Fresh Roasted Coffee is adding a brick-paved patio along the Ferris Street side of its 80 N. Seminary St. business.
Jessica Ketchum, who owns the coffee shop with her husband Ben, tells WGIL the expanded patio will seat around 32, up from its current outside dining capacity of about 12 people.
The new patio will offer traditional outdoor dining tables and chairs, as well as some informal seating.
“We are excited to plan some small touches that will make our guests feel comfortable and relaxed,” Ketchum said. “We have plans in place to ensure that it feels separated from the road for better privacy.
“And we are excited to bring back some of the beautiful plants that were in this space before. We want this new patio to feel like a refreshing oasis to enjoy with your friends and family.”
Construction on the new patio started Monday and is expected to be completed and open to customers as soon as next week. Ketchum said they will continue to add in special touches with plants, lighting and decoration over the span of next month or two, as the weather stabilizes.
The Ketchums say they have been eyeing an expansion to the patio since they purchased Innkeeper’s in August of 2021.
“During one of our first weekends after taking ownership, we had a customer ask if we could move their table outside on the sidewalk for them,” Jessica said. “This question got the ball rolling for us, and we knew that we had to invest in a bigger patio space for our customers.
“As well, as we expand our focus on hosting live music, craft cocktails and small plates evening events, we are excited to start offering these outside. Ben and I love spending time outside during the spring, summer and fall seasons, and we know that we share that love with so many of our customers.”
She added, “We are excited to be a part of the conversations, community and events that will come on our new outdoor space.”
