The Spoke on Coffman (“The Spoke”) is Boulder County Housing Authority’s (BCHA) new mixed-use development in the heart of downtown Longmont, opened as of late April, 2022. The Spoke includes 73 permanently affordable apartments, a 262-space parking garage with bike and electric vehicle charging, BCHA offices, and a café space. The project is the result of a collaboration between Boulder County, BCHA, the Longmont Downtown Authority (LDDA), and the City of Longmont, providing much needed affordable housing and contributing to the economic vitality of downtown. The Café will be an affordable, new coffee shop in Longmont’s Main Street Corridor and provide supportive employment programs dedicated to mentorship, job training, and apprenticeships for special populations.
BCHA is seeking proposals for a creative and community-driven service provider (“Operator”) to operate a new café/coffee shop at The Spoke with a focus on two primary goals: 1) Provide delicious and affordable new light-fare dining options in Longmont’s Main Street Corridor, and 2) Provide supportive employment programs in a workplace environment dedicated to mentorship, job training, and apprenticeships for special populations. The supportive employment program model may be a partnership with Workforce Boulder County or an alternative training and job readiness program with a proven model. Responders to this RFP are encouraged to reach out to Workforce Boulder County to discuss the potential for a partnership, although this is not required. Operators should specify which special populations they intend to serve, as well as how their business model and/or partnerships provides services and job training to those specific populations. The Operator will be expected to run a legally permitted, self-sufficient, financially independent, and successful light-fare food service/coffee business while providing supported employment opportunities.
BCHA is committed to the success of the business and development of individual employees and will charge for Common Area Maintenance costs (CAM) and minimal rent of only $750/month. Operator will also be responsible for paying Utilities, Services, Insurance and Other Business Expenses. The Space - The café is a new light-fare food preparation and service venue with great curb appeal and a significant presence on Coffman Street. The space is approximately 2,500 square feet including a service/prep/food warming area, a seating area, and a management office. The café features overhead glass doors that open to Coffman Street and covered outdoor seating next to the covered walkway to Main Street. See the Café Attachments for more details on the design and layout of the space. Note that the café does not, and cannot, include a full commercial kitchen. It was not designed for any open flames and does not include hooded venting for cooking. The selected Operator must work with Boulder County Public Health to apply for and obtain all required licenses/permits before facility operation. Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment (FFE) - BCHA has outfitted the space to be attractive to customers and fun to work in. Specialty items related to specific operator needs will be the responsibility of the Operator to furnish. The selected Operator will be responsible for any additional furnishings, equipment, decorations, soft goods, 3rd party vendor services, and business supplies required to function and to personalize the space.
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