Monday, December 19, 2011

Paramount Cafe offers great coffees and creative placemaking in downtown Cheyenne

My coworker Linda and I walked down to the new Paramount Cafe this afternoon. Proprietor Leah Zegan had earlier posted on Facebook that she and her baristas were testing their drinks today so why didn't we all come down for some samples. So we did.

The Paramount Cafe is located in the old Paramount Theater. Remember when all the movie theatres were located downtown? The Lincoln, the Atlas, the Paramount? The Lincoln is the only one left in downtown Cheyenne that still shows movies. The Atlas is owned by the Cheyenne Little Theatre Players and houses some of the CLTP's seasonal plays, including the summer melodrama. The Paramount hasn't been a movie theater for God knows how long (I'll have to investigate the Wyoming State Archives to discover the Paramount's history).

There is something theatrical about this  place. The young baristas are all rehearsing for opening day tomorrow. The young male barista showed Linda the player piano that takes up a corner of the wood-paneled cafe. He sang along as the piano roll scrolled across the piano face.

I ordered a latte straight up and Linda had a vanilla latte. Two shots in a 12-ounce cup gives the coffee drinker enough of a jolt to make it through a chilly Monday afternoon. It's also more than you get in most of the chain coffee shops.

Come on down to Leah's place starting tomorrow. This is a new independent business bringing new life to downtown Cheyenne. Sip a latte, play around with the player piano and peruse the art in the hallway. Think about the cool movies that used to draw post-war families. Come back Shane -- come back! Officer Krupke, you're really a square, this boy don't need a judge he needs an analyst's care! Who are those guys? That's bold talk for a one-eyed fat man.

Paramount Cafe, 1607 Capitol Ave., Cheyenne, 307-634-2576. All sorts of hot and cold beverages. Baked goods provided by The Bread Basket.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

That is so cool I can't wait to go have me some coffee. I love old down town Cheyenne.