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Seth Fein was born in Urbana and now lives in downtown Champaign. He owns and operates The Nicodemus Agency, is the founder and curator of Pygmalion Music Festival, and is an assistant talent buyer at The Canopy Club. He loves the Purdue Boilermakers and his wife's marinara sauce.
Coffee drinkers: Perk up your ears.
Beloved Urbana coffeehouse and hipster study spot, Caffe Paradiso, changed ownership over the weekend. Café co-founder and owner Melissa Fanella had been looking to sell the business for the past year.
The café first opened in 1998 with partner Geoff Merritt of Parasol Records and That's Rentertainment. The café soon housed an extension of the John St. movie rental store, first in the seating area and then in the rental space adjacent to the cafe. After it ceased operations, Fanella continued to run the café with the help of the employees that had been on staff since its opening.
As for the future of the café, Fanella seems confident that the new owners, a South Korean couple who owned a café in Seoul until recently, will remain dedicated to the original ambiance and current business model for some time.
"The impression I get is that nothing is changing — at least in the immediate future." Fanella says.
In addition to its status as a favorite hangout for Urbana campus dwellers, the café has doubled as a live music venue, playing host to numerous touring bands over the years, including Braid, Joan of Arc, Mates of State, Owen, Aloha, The Ponys and many more.
More details will be available in the coming weeks and there is, according to current employees, talk of the new owners putting in an in-house coffee roaster.
Caffe Paradiso is located at 801 S. Lincoln, Urbana.
Comments (9)
Monday, February 11, 2008 11:41 AM
This is important, yet worrisome news. Paradiso is really the only place in town that truly understands espresso and makes great espresso drinks as a result.
Their idea of putting in an in-house coffee roaster is especially worrisome. It is *highly unlikely* that Paradiso can roast beans anywhere near as well as their bean supplier, Intelligentsia (from Chicago). Intelligentsia's Black Cat (the bean Paradiso uses) is widely regarded by the espresso community as one of the best beans available on the planet. I very much hope that Paradiso's new owners don't mess with the winning formula currently going on there, or they will lose my business permanently.
your local coffee geek... :)
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 3:42 PM
Geez, Ben, you worry too much...might wanna cut back on that caffeine, buddy.
Thursday, February 14, 2008 9:56 AM
I have been going to Caffe Paridiso for years and have never heard of the guy you mention throughout your article.
You name him and his fledgling businesses, but I have never heard of this person. Who is he?
Friday, February 15, 2008 12:33 AM
I have to agree with Mr. Hick. This poorly-written tidbit focuses on someone who has had nothing to do with the success of my favorite cafe. I've been going there for 9 years and am very close with the staff. Hey, isn't that Geoff guy the same person whose advertisements pop all over this website? How indie of you.
Friday, February 15, 2008 12:42 AM
Not actually sure how this tidbit "focuses" on Geoff, having only mentioned his name in conjunction with the initial history of the cafe?
Mr. Hick - who do I mention "throughout" the article? If you have never heard of him, perhaps that is because you didn't know the history of the cafe?
Those who know and love Paradiso know full well that Melissa is solely responsible for its continued success.
Confused...
Saturday, February 16, 2008 11:10 PM
it's true. melissa made it so great. we will all miss the real caffe paradiso.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 1:19 PM
Seth, I have to agree with Ura Hick and Ricky. Your transparent attempt to elevate your lone advertiser to an undeserved level of success in a wonderful local business is kind of sad and pathetic.
I fully understand your limitations as a writer, but have you no ethics or personal pride?
I hope that you at least received a free movie rental or a poorly recorded demo of a no name band for your efforts.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 8:32 PM
I agree with those who are worried. The new owners should hear this clearly: Caffe Paradiso has, by far, the best coffee in town (indeed anywhere nearby outside of Chicago). The reason: intelligentsia beans, a high end espresso machine, trained baristas. Don't fix what ain't broke! Please.
Friday, June 27, 2008 1:07 AM
The new owner was incredibly rude to me tonight and prepared his drink ahead of my own. Sad that Melissa is gone. I could tell lately something was off, and its definitely the new ownership.