Build-Outs Of Summer: Bindle Coffee, Fort Collins, Colorado

Every new cafe we feature in Build-Outs of Summer is ambitious in its own way, but the gang at Bindle Coffee in Ft. Collins, Colorado are really swinging for the fences. Part of a complex that includes a restaurant, bakery, brewery, boutique, barbershop, photo studio, and gym, Bindle has some features you don’t see every day: we’re talking a uniquely modified espresso machine, a spiffy Diedrich-brand coffee roaster, a service bar made out of reclaimed boxcar train floor boards, and some sweet coffees on tap from their importing partners. This is Bindle Coffee Roasters in Ft. Collins, Colorado.

As told to Sprudge by Andrew Webb. 

For those who aren’t familiar, will you tell us about your company?

A Bindle is a traveler’s knapsack, typically seen carried by a hobo with a stick. Bindle Coffee exists to provide a space and environment that gives people room to breathe, to dream, and to enjoy beautiful food & coffee. Bindle is the forging of artistry and ritual. It is restorative and comforting. It is handmade.

Can you tell us a bit about the new space?

Our space is part of a historic homestead renovation in Fort Collins, Colorado. The 129-year-old farm buildings are all being rehabilitated and the history of the land will remain an important aspect of the project. Bindle Coffee is located in what once was the mechanic’s garage, where we will be roasting all of our coffee in-house. We have a massive garage door opening up to the parking lot and lots of beautiful natural light. We made our entire bar top out of reclaimed boxcar train floor boards from the 1920s, and are really trying to pull in historic elements through our design. We wanted all our additions to feel natural in the space, like they always belonged there. We wanted to be in a neighborhood, and this entire project is the neighborhood center of a massive new housing development in Fort Collins.

Other shops include: a farm-to-fork restaurant (The Farmhouse), Funkwerks Brewery (the barrelhouse), a curated boutique for the simple-living lifestyle (HEYDAY), a bakery (Lovif Bakery), a barbershop, a photography studio, and a microgym.

What’s your approach to coffee?

Bindle Coffee is a micro coffee roastery. We only source traceable coffees, and strive to be involved in making the lives of the growers better. We recognize that good coffee doesn’t just happen, but begins with good people at the source. We mostly feature single origins from individual farms or farmer groups in an effort to showcase the hard work that goes into every bean. All of our offerings change seasonally to keep things fresh and exciting. We have found good friends in the people at Crop to Cup Coffee Importers, and their approach is really beautiful, committing to purchasing entire crops (good and bad) and work with specific farms long term. The result is a lasting relationship, and improvement in coffee quality year after year.

Any machines, coffees, special equipment lined up?

Espresso Machine: 3-group Victoria Arduino Athena Leva with modified La Marzocco steam wands and Foam Knife Steam Tips by Espresso Parts. 2 of the 3 groups will feature modified naked portafilters, all with 20g VST baskets.

Espresso grinders: One Mahlkönig K30 and one Mahlkönig PEAK (when it becomes available).

Coffee grinder: Mahlkönig Guatemala

Scales: Acaia coffee scales, and the Acaia Lunar for espresso!

Batch brewing: Fetco Double 1gal XTS

Featured pour-overs: 3-Cup Chemex, and Aeropress (with Able FINE filter)

Exclusive launch coffee: Cup of Excellence Burundi Buhorwa from Crop to Cup Coffee Importers

Coffee Roaster: Diedrich IR-3

What’s your hopeful target opening date/month?

We are hoping to open in mid-July!

Are you working with craftspeople, architects, and/or creatives that you’d like to mention?

Mac & Son: Owner Marty McCafferty built our entire bar using the maple boxcar train floorboards. It was a very tricky build and the attention to detail is obvious, from the salvaged wood trim to the beautiful subway tile along the bar front. He also made all of our tables from salvaged pumpkin pine from the 1880s. Mac & Son specializes in historic restoration, kitchen, bath, specialty wood working, and precision finishing.

We also acquired all of our chairs from my wife’s family’s homestead in Nebraska, which was established in the 1880s. It is pretty special to us that details down the chairs have so much history and story behind it. The result is a rich and warm environment that gives people a sense of home and peace.

Department of Brewology: David at the DEPT. designed a hand-type of our mission, “Sit & Savor” for us. We’re also excited to display some of his beautiful prints in our store.

Classic Door & Millwork: Helped us a TON with piecing together the boxcar floor bar top, as well as making a custom angled hardwood door for our bathroom. The bar top would not have been possible without their help!

Jennifer Little: Photographer and owner of HEYDAY has been able to capture some of the buildout process for us! We are so excited to be neighbors! Follow them on Instagram.

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