Coffee/music shop could help develop local culture
Published 6:16 pm Monday, January 6, 2014
![Work in progress: Renovations are being completed at the Clanton building that will serve as a coffee and music shop.](https://www.clantonadvertiser.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2014/01/1-6-coffeeshop.jpg)
Work in progress: Renovations are being completed at the Clanton building that will serve as a coffee and music shop.
Brad Edwards’ planned coffee shop and music shop would surely be a nice addition for Clanton.
But Edwards hopes the business can offer something more and intangible.
“I want this place to be about building community,” Edwards said.
The shop will be located in Clanton across Highway 31 from the post office, on property that has seen many uses over the years.
The building the coffee and music shop will occupy was built relatively recently, though Edwards, along with some help, is renovating the space to fit his needs.
There will be a bar for serving coffee and related drinks, plus fruit smoothies, indoor seating (and maybe outdoor seating at some point in the future) and a restroom.
Edwards said he’s been able to perform or oversee all of the renovations because of his experience with a construction company licensed to do electrical, plumbing and heating and air work.
Edwards said he hopes the shop can open within the next 30 days.
Though much work still has to be done, Edwards said he is optimistic about the shop opening soon.
“We’re closer than we’ve ever been before,” he joked.
A friend, Eddie Price, owns the property where the shop will be located.
“He’s been kind enough to put some money into it,” Edwards said. “He’s interested in it from a community aspect.”
The coffee to be served will come from Hawaii, Ethiopia and some South American countries. Edwards said it will be free trade and organic.
The coffee will be roasted in Birmingham and ground in-house.
In addition to standard espresso drinks and smoothies, Edwards said the shop will likely offer pastries and paninis.
Hours will likely be 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.
Edwards’ wife, Susan, and uncle, John Bankston, will help man the counter.
Bankston’s company has donated material to the renovation.
A variety of musical instruments will also be sold at the shop, and Edwards will offer one-on-one lessons.
The location will feature an office for Edwards and space for lessons.
In addition to his expertise of classical guitar, Edwards will offer lessons in music theory, jazz improvisation, banjo, piano, violin and voice.
Edwards said he hopes the shop helps develop a musical culture in Clanton.
“My whole thing is to offer something for people, where they don’t have to go to Alabaster or Prattville,” he said. “It’s going to be just a place for people to come hang out and meet people of like-mindedness.
“The community has been extremely excited and supportive to have something like this come to town.”