New European-style cafe planned for former Brewed Awakenings location in Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS — A European-style cafe is being planned for a Cedar Rapids spot near Coe College.

The new owners of 1271 First Ave. SE plan to open Cafe Allez there in early 2024.

The new cafe, with a bakery and espresso bar inspired by the Tour de France and European travels, will occupy the spot that was previously home to Tee’s Liberian Dish and Brewed Awakenings coffee shop.

Brewed Awakenings closed in December 2020, about eight years after owners Larry and Junetta Janda first opened it. Tee’s Liberian Dish moved to 529 Fifth Ave. SE several months after opening in June 2021.

For the new owners, who have been renovating that building and the adjacent 111 13th St. SE, the cafe has a sentimental foundation.

“This is a location that has had a special place in my heart for 15 years now,” said Emily Stochl, co-owner of the new building and business. “We're very excited to bring a coffee shop back to that neighborhood and bring some life back into that space again.”

Curtis and Emily Stochl, both Coe College alumni, met and married on campus during their time there as students from 2009 to 2013. As students, they made memories at Brewed Awakenings after classes with friends and professors.

The couple co-own and are revitalizing the two buildings with business partners Thaddeus Walters and Anna Yeagle.

Curtis Stochl and Thaddeus Walters both have an extensive background in the restaurant industry. Curtis has worked at his father’s Pizza Haus in Williamsburg for nearly 25 years. Thaddeus has worked at a number of local restaurants, including Greyhound Deli & Cafe and Cappy’s Pizzeria.

Curtis and Thaddeus, both cyclists, previously worked together at Goldfinch Cyclery in NewBo. Building on nostalgic travels through Europe, Emily said the new theme will combine the culture of coffee and high-quality pastries like croissants, with the essence of sitting on a sidewalk in Paris or biking through the countryside of Europe.

“This has been a lifelong dream. (Curtis) has known he always wanted to have a restaurant of his own in Cedar Rapids,” said Emily, a former barista.

The property behind the former and future coffee shop has been transformed into the 237 Collective, a local art gallery owned and operated by Paxton Williams and Abby Long-Williams offering art materials, locally made clothing, classes and markets.