New coffee shop The Press opens in downtown Panama City

Panama City-More than a year ago, Kevin Mitchell was walking along Harrison Avenue in the Panama City area and saw road signs. Not only did the community slowly recover from Hurricane Michael, it also seems that the city is preparing for a rebirth.

Kevin Mitchell said in a conversation at The Press Downtown last week: "Michael swept everyone's dreams." "They are so resilient and we are very happy to see Panama. Something happened in the city center."

49-year-old Kevin (Kevin) is from Monroe, Georgia; Erica (Erica) is 29-year-old from Warner Robins, Georgia. They lived in Bay County for about five years and owned Pinnacle Contracting and Remodeling. But when they spend in the city center, they feel as if something is missing.

Kevin said: "If we go out for a meal, it's better to have dessert coffee and pastries. That's gone."

Erica said: "The urban area without coffee shops is not complete, so we see the need." "Now the urban area is reviving, and a boom is passing. Young people are pouring into the bay and opening business."

The press center at 310 Harrison Avenue is open 7 days a week from 7 am to 7 pm. The beverage menu includes poured coffee (hot or iced), espresso, cappuccino, American coffee, latte, hot chocolate, tea and smoothies. The food menu includes fresh crepes and pastries, selected deli and more.

Take ham and cheese or sausage and cheese coracles for breakfast; or get the store’s signature crepe "Joy with the King" filled with bananas, peanut butter and peanut butter. The deli menu is still under development, but includes cheese, cold meats, fruits, pickled foods and chutneys.

Fruitie Tootie is made by mixing berries and cream. Enjoy cinnamon baked apples with Brie cheese; or taste classic strawberry and cream crepes. Then wash it with the coffee of your choice-or various bag and loose leaf teas paired with natural sweeteners, including Earl Grey, breakfast mix, orange blossom, tropical green tea, citrus, chamomile, ginger, East India, Blackberry, Masala, Chai, Uolong or Gunpowder Mint.

Every month, The Press will also provide a special flavor blend.

The shop is located in the former location of Vinny and Bay’s coffee shops, and has been fully restored from floor to ceiling, although rough brick walls can still enhance the atmosphere of the city center. The family prepares before the holidays in the evenings and weekends. Kevin even handcrafted the main counter in a glass cabinet with coffee beans for the main coffee menu on display.

Kevin said: "It's not so much coffee as it is a coffee shop." "The atmosphere is everything, so I don't worry. Like a bookstore, for me, the atmosphere is soothing."

The couple chose a quality supplier for their coffee beans-Lucky Goat Coffee Company in Tallahassee. This is part of their efforts to maintain product localization and support local businesses. Even the decorations are local. Little Mustard Seed at 437 Harrison Avenue used coffee grounds from The Press and their own soy wax to make candles on the candle holder table.

Erica said: "Kevin is a person with a sense of society." "He likes to bring high-quality things to people in the community. He sees the needs and does his best to meet the needs."

The opening ceremony took place from December 19 to 20, 2020, and the response exceeded their expectations. All their products have been sold out, and they must be re-ordered in time to prepare for the New Year’s Eve celebrations in the urban area.

Erica said: "It's funny."

Kevin added: "The community has always provided 100% support." "They told us that they are happy to have such an open place where they can feel normal and enjoy each other's company."

The Press has only five employees (including Kevin's son Chase as a manager) and is still in recruitment and training mode.

Erica said: "We are already growing." "We are twice as busy this time as we expected."

Kevin added that he is not a "masked policeman", but the tables and seats are carefully separated so that customers do not feel crowded. During my recent visit, all the staff were covered up. The seating area is also divided into a group chat corner with comfortable chairs and a bar-style table along a wall that leads to an electrical outlet used as a workbench.

Kevin said: "A week before our opening, they put the sign back at the Martin Theatre." "We took action at the right time."

With the launch in 2021, there are more options. The plan includes regular acoustic "cafe concerts" by local and touring musicians; adding a wine list to praise the deli; and "bamboo enny university" lectures.

Kevin said: "When the first coffee shop opened, today's rich men and intellectuals will sit together to discuss and debate." "Poor and uneducated people know that they can go to the coffee shop and spend a penny for a drink. Coffee, then listen to the conversation and understand what is happening in the world. That is their'Bamboo University'."

The publisher's edition will focus on different professional fields each month, including various experts in personal finance, professional development, art and literature.

For updates and planned events, please visit Facebook.com/ThePressDowntown; for menus, please visit ThePressDowntown.com; or call 850-691-2107 for more information.