Best Block In Worcester? New Coffee Shop Cordella's Enhances Bustling June Street

WORCESTER, MA — The hamlet of businesses near the intersection of June and Chandler streets is approaching perfection.

A few weeks ago, Cordella's opened in a space between Rewind Video and the Materia arcade and game shop. Next door you'll find a Greek grocer, outstanding Thai and vegan Chinese restaurants, a hardware store, salons, pizza and a 7-Eleven for everything else.

Cordella's was a crowning achievement for the block, filling a need for a coffee shop that's open early in the middle of a dense neighborhood. Co-owner Andy Jimison — also the owner of Materia — opened the shop precisely for that reason: the neighborhood needed coffee.

"I felt like this block needed something that could anchor all these business, that core central spot" Jimison said, adding that his neighbors around June Street often talked about their desire for a local coffee shop. "That's where the idea started."

Jimison and his Cordella's co-owners — wife Jess Rao, designer Ellie Ellis and coffee veteran Alecia Bishop — will hold a grand opening on Saturday, an official ceremony for a shop that's already seen heavy foot traffic, Jimison said.

Bishop, a longtime Acoustic Java barista, designed Cordella's coffee menu using Dean's Beans, a roastery in Orange. The shop serves a full espresso menu, drip and pour-over coffee, syrups made by Bishop and tea. The owners have made sure to keep prices reasonable to appeal to all residents from the neighborhood. Cordella's serves small pastries, but Jimison will be hosting pop-ups with local restaurants — starting with Pig Out Vegan Bakery on April 28 — to enhance the menu.

Cordella's is a big change from where Jimison and Rao were a few years ago. They were living in New York City with a young child when the pandemic hit. The family relocated to Worcester, where Rao, who works in public health, was born and raised. They bought a home here soon after.
Jimison worked at an architecture firm in New York, and had never owned a retail business until opening Materia in 2022. When a for-rent sign appeared in the window of 116 June St., he saw a way to turn his love of collecting video game consoles into a business.

(It's a small arcade that Jimison initially wanted to name "Cramped Quarters," but decided not to after everyone learned the phrase "social distancing.")

It was an encounter with Jimison in 2023 inside Materia that led Rewind co-founder Cara Berg Powers to turn an idea for a video rental store into reality. Rewind is also a nonprofit community media center anchored by local journalist Bill Shaner. Jimison serves on the board of the nonprofit, and the two businesses now share a connected space after a wall between them was removed.

The new and existing businesses have created a bustling corner that’s an easy walk for anyone in the area. Jimison says he's met people who have recently moved to the neighborhood from larger cities and want to be able to eat and shop without driving.

Jimison hopes the June-Chandler nexus can be a blueprint for Worcester, demonstrating the demand for miniature urban hubs, complete with smaller-scale multifamily housing. Being able to walk down the street and get a cup of coffee is part of that experience — it's one of the things Rao and Jimison missed when they moved to Worcester.

Saturday's grand opening will be a celebration for all three new businesses at 116 June, with Jimison opening Materia early for gamers who also want a caffeine fix. He’s looking forward to reaching more customers by expanding hours into the evening for the neighborhood.

"We thought people would love to stop in at a coffee shop that's not Dunkin'. That's proven to be true," he said.

If you go ...

Cordella's
116B June St., Worcester
M-F, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sat-Sun, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.