“This year has not been easy. But Buddy Brew has opened not one but two locations during this pandemic,” Mayor Castor said. “Buddy Brew has been a good friend to the Tampa community and I’m happy to be here to support this wonderful new addition here at Armature Works.”
“Armature Works is a perfect fit for Buddy Brew, and we already feel right at home,” said Dave Ward. “We are so thankful to all who contributed to making this beautiful new space, and we are excited to continue bringing people together to connect over a cup of high-quality specialty coffee, and celebrate our beautiful city.”
The full-service coffee and espresso bar will be open seven days a week. It will serve hot and iced coffee beverages as well as BOLT cold brew, Original and Nitro, on tap. The breakfast menu includes pastries, breakfast sandwiches and Hale Life vegan donuts. The lunch menu features Buddy Brew’s signature avocado toast with poached eggs, among other entrees.
Buddy Brew joins 19 other dining establishments in the historic venue. Armature Works is a former trolley depot that was built in the early 1900s. The mixed-use 73,000-square-foot building has a distinctive industrial look and feel, as evidenced by the original high ceilings and skylights, exposed brick and steel rafters.
The Buddy Brew build-out, helmed by the Sinclair Group and RDB Design, took about six weeks, the company’s “quickest build to date” according to Susan Ward. The 433-square-feet space is “a blend of modern and industrial textiles that create an inviting feel while paying homage to the building’s history and industrial vibe,” she said.
A sleek Carrara marble bar provides seating for six. One wall is composed entirely of an original Ron Francis bronze art piece framed in black. A second etched work by the artist depicting Buddy Brew’s first espresso machine is featured on the back wall.
Local metalwork artist Alex Rodriguez Wilkes created the custom steel shelving for back-of-house storage as well as a retail display for whole bean coffee at the register. He also crafted a one-of-a-kind hand-cut steel art piece in the shape of Buddy Brew’s classic logo. The distinctive pendant globe lights, which bring an inviting focal point to the space, are by Clayton Gray Home.
Follow @buddybrewcoffee on Instagram.
More about Buddy Brew
Dave and Susan Ward opened their flagship café and roastery on West Kennedy Boulevard in 2010. They have since opened locations across the Tampa Bay area, including Bay to Bay, Hyde Park Village, Oxford Exchange, Tampa International Airport, Park Tower and downtown Sarasota. The company mission, “Brew Good; Do Good,” is reflected in the high quality coffee, ethical and sustainable sourcing practices, and a commitment to giving back to the community. Buddy Brew’s whole bean and ground coffees are available for purchase in cafés and retail partners across the state and the country, including The Fresh Market, Sprouts, Whole Foods and Publix grocery stores.
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