El Almacen, the Queen West café known for its authentic yerba mate and empanadas, is expanding soon with a new location in the Junction.
“It’s going to be a little mix of coffee, tea and retail,” says co-owner Silvio Rodriguez. He’s partnering with a friend to open the new café at 1642 Dupont Street. The new location’s name has yet to be decided, but it will incorporate its El Almacen roots.
Aiming to open before Christmas, the café will be an intimate space, maxing out at 200-square feet, so it will be more of a grab-and-go shop.
“We’re still trying to find out how we’re going to function in that space and where we’re going to put everything,” Rodriguez says.
Since the new café will be unable to house cooking equipment, food items will be prepared at the original El Almacen by Rodriguez’s wife, then transported over. Empanadas, sandwiches, baked treats and soups will be available, along with an array of house-cured meats.
Despite the small size, Rodriguez is planning to incorporate a bar area for customers to sit and enjoy their goods. The café will parallel the warmth of Queen West’s El Almacen, but mixed with the homey feel of a general store.
As for the new retail aspect: “That’s going to be a little secret until we open,” Rodriguez says.
[h/t @helenspitzer]
