Mill District Business Spotlight: Coffee Gallery

In 2000 "Coffee Jon" Sherrell, a seasoned coffee shop owner, opened Coffee Gallery in the Open Book building at 1011 Washington Avenue South.  Back then our Mill District neighborhood looked nothing like the clean, visitor-packed destination it is today.  Liquor Depot stood across the street and Jon took it upon himself to patrol the 1011 building for unsavory characters. 

Considering everything that's transpired since then, we're lucky to still have this cozy spot for coffee, tea, juices, beer, wine, sandwiches, sweets, salads and soups.

On April Fool's Day, 2004, Jon was in a motorcycle accident that landed him in a coma and resulted in a severe brain injury.  Over the course of the next two years, Jon had to learn how to walk and talk again. He credits employees Jen and Dave with his business' survival during those years of recovery. 

 

Fast forward to today, and business has expanded to serve both a breakfast and lunch crowd.  In the past two years Dave has quadrupled the catering menu.

In addition to tasty drinks and fresh food, the space itself also draws you in.   Artwork on display changes frequently, and you can spend quite a bit of time taking in the cool structure and features of the historic building.  A wall of windows provides plenty of natural light (and apparently the perfect environment for the largest, most healthy Norfolk Pine I've ever seen).

Jon is one of many entrepreneurs and visionaries who were committed to transforming the Mill District from a run down area to be avoided to the vibrant, high profile neighborhood it is today.   My husband pops into Coffee Gallery frequently, and we hope both our residential and commerical neighbors check it out if they haven't done so already.