Community Spotlight: Church Alley Coffee Bar
Church Alley Coffee Bar is an old-school coffeehouse that serves delicious dark coffee and tea alongside healthy meals, with a mission to support and improve their community. They are dedicated to improving lives and the communities of the Gulf Coast through compassionate and forward-thinking products and services.
The Story of Church Alley
Church Alley is named for a small alleyway in the southwestern Louisiana town of New Iberia where owner Renée Blanchard’s grandfather opened his first men’s clothing shop two generations ago. Many years later, she thought of naming her cafe after this alleyway as a memorial to those who came before, and as a reminder of the importance of protecting local cultural treasures.
The coffee shop was opened in 2013 and has moved several times since then before setting up in its current permanent location on Canal Street. The coffeehouse serves fresh-roasted coffee from some of the most talented, ethically sourced coffee roasters in the country. They hand brew and seasonally cold brew while featuring micro-roasters from all over the nation.
A Rich Bouquet of Flavor
Most of the coffees featured here lean toward flavors of citrus, floral, and chocolate hints, though Church Alley enjoys showcasing new and unexpected flavors, both in their coffee and their food. They put their focus on the flavor of the coffee with options including drip, pour-over, and traditional café au lait. Espresso drinks like macchiatos, cappuccinos, espressos, and Americanos are also on offer for those who want something a bit fancier.
The menu here is small but focused on quality and designed to energize and refuel the body. It’s mostly of the “small-bite” variety. This includes sandwiches, naan wraps, croissants, yogurt, bagels, and breakfast paninis. A few menu highlights include:
- Avocado toast on Bellegarde Bakery Country Bread
- Smoked Ham & Apple on Bellegarde Bakery Grande Country Bread
- Cucumber & Avocado Naan
- Tomato & Goat Cheese on a Croissant
A Welcoming and Supportive Space
Renée wants her business to be “just like Grandma’s.” It features a mix-and-match aesthetic that calls to mind the coffeehouse culture that all too often these days has been buried by sanitized corporate experiences. It all started out of necessity because the shop was opened with little money but has grown into its own and made that part of its vibe. The walls are covered with posters and mirrors with colorful plants all around and good music piped through the speakers. Renée describes the aesthetic simply as kindness and comfort.
Supporting and Changing the Community
Besides running her cafe, Renée publishes books like “Tasting Coffee in NOLA,” which highlights the spaces, people, and businesses doing fun and interesting things in the city. She also publishes a website called “Bossy Like Me” that focuses on women in business who are groundbreaking pioneers in the modern era.
Make a Pilgrimage to the Church Alley Coffee Bar
If you’d like to stop in for some great coffee and stay for the great company, Church Alley Coffee Bar is the place to check out. They’re open daily from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, give them a call at 504-304-6306 or check them out on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
