Two years ago, Cindy and Cary Arsaga sold two of their local coffee shops in an effort to slow down a bit after 17 years in the business.
Recently, however, a really cool building opened up in downtown Fayetteville, and that “slow down” plan appears to be changing.
The Arsaga’s founders, who still own all but two of the coffee shops in town that carry their name, are planning to open a new location in the building most recently occupied by Habibi Hookah Lounge at 548 W. Dickson Street in Fayetteville.
“I know my wife thinks I’m crazy,” Cary told us. “When I got into the business 20 years ago, I wanted to open in the train depot. Then when the building next door came open, I just felt like ‘I have to do this.'”
It was the uniqueness of the building — located not only in the popular downtown entertainment district, but also along the popular Frisco Trail — that made the space irresistible.
“It really is such a great building,” he said. “And being right on the trail makes it even better. We’re planning to do a really cool patio there on the trail side.”
The new Arsaga’s will be a familiar concept, but with a bit of a twist.
“We’re going do do coffee, and crepes,” said Cary. “Daniel Estes (manager of the Fayetteville Public Library Arsaga’s location) and Cindy have been working on recipes.”
The building will require extensive renovations, Cary said, but if all goes well, he hopes to have the new coffee shop and creperie up and running sometime in the Spring of 2012.
