Swing's Celebrates Opening of New Coffee Bar

M.E. Swing Coffee Roasters celebrated the opening of its new coffee bar on E. Monroe Avenue Saturday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that was attended by Mayor Bill Euille, Councilmembers John Chapman, Tim Lovain, Del Pepper and Justin Wilson and Sheriff Dana Lawhorne.

The coffee bar, which serves coffee by the cup, espresso drinks and has iced coffee on tap, has been open for two weeks—the first week for a soft opening and then a following week of full service.

• See: Swing's Prepares New Cafe
• See: Swing's Officially Opens Coffee Bar

The bar also offers selections from Alexandria Pastry Shop and coffee beans are available by the pound. Staff at the new facility is hosting coffee cupping events each Friday at 10 a.m.

Neil Balkcom, a licensed Q-grader overseeing coffee quality at Swing’s, said the customers haven’t stopped coming since the doors opened on the new bar.

“Each day I’d say it’s another 30 new customers,” Balkom said. “It’s validation for the things we’re doing here.”

Swing’s opened its roasting facility at the former Gold Crust Baking Company at 501 E. Monroe Avenue in January. Owner Mark Warmuth had previously roasted beans at a facility on S. Pickett Street in the West End. Council approved Swing’s plans for the new facility in June 2012. 

• See: M.E. Swing Coffee Roasters Opens New Facility in Del Ray
• See: Swing's Coffee Set to Make Move to Del Ray

The coffee bar in Del Ray is the second for Swing’s, which has a spot on G Street in the District that is popular with White House and World Bank staffers.

People in Saturday’s crowd on Monroe Avenue were lining up outside to get a cup.

“Certainly Del Ray is welcoming to all new businesses but especially committed to small businesses,” Mayor Bill Euille said. “We know [Swing’s] will be successful here at this location and we encourage everyone here to continue to support the businesses in Del Ray.”

You can follow Swing’s on Facebook and Twitter.

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