Story Coffee–self proclaimed “first tiny house coffee shop in the world”– is located in downtown Colorado Springs on the edge of Acacia Park. And it’s exactly what you’d think when you hear “tiny house coffee shop.” It’s tiny.
The interior is wide enough for two people to stand side by side and place their orders at the counter, and long enough for a few more sets to stand behind. It’s definitely not big enough for my 4- and 2-year-olds to run around like they wanted. But that’s the point.
The owners of Story Coffee have lived the minimalist life for years. They sold their house and most of their possessions and hit the road with their two kids, collecting memories and mileage instead of stuff. They traveled the country exploring as a family, tasting great coffee, and learning from coffee shop owners from coast to coast.
The shop used to live in a different part of the Springs, until a few years ago when it was “parked” near Acacia Park during the busy holiday season as a test run. And Acacia Park has been the home of Story Coffee since.
The shop has a lovely deck if you want to sit. Because it’s inside the park and so near downtown, the setting encourages you to talk to other people while sipping your coffee or set off to explore downtown.
Our kids loved playing on the playground while my husband waited for our coffees. In the summertime, Acacia Park is packed because they turn on the splash pad, and kids can’t get enough. Concerts are put on just behind Story Coffee on the outdoor stage. Also, Tejon Street has shops, restaurants, and it’s the parade route for every event in the Springs.
My coffee was hot, smooth and light. It was the perfect thing for walking on a bright spring day.
They sell some pastries but don’t have a full kitchen, so you won’t be able to order a full meal. They don’t have a huge variety, but the things they do, they do well. The shop is popular, so the line is long. There was only one person working when we were there, so things took a while. But remember, their shop has limited square footage. There’s not enough room for lots of employees. But it was worth the wait.
All in all, we give Story Coffee a 9/10.
Kid Friendly: Yes
Drive Through: No. And if you park on a weekday, many streets have parking meters (but the meters take credit cards).
120 E Bijou St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 | storycoffeecompany.com