Germantown Espresso Bar signage at the new signage. (Photo: Shanayah Wyche)

Coffee lovers will be pleased to know that the Germantown Espresso Bar (GEB) is back in full swing after over two years of closure. The cafe reopened on February 1 with a large crowd, reminding owners of the gem that Germantowners have missed.

“It has been so exciting; everyone is so happy that we are open! Our excitement is matched by all the customers,” said Colleen, one of the shop co-owners. 

The new space sits at 6369 Germantown Avenue in a beautifully remodeled 300-year-old building. The new space offers more seating on the first floor than the previous locations, as it’s a few hundred square feet larger.

GEB was founded in 2017 by Jeff Podlogar, Miles Orion Butler, and their two partners, Kate Ibarra Podlogar and Katie Cornine, and sat on Maplewood Mall before closing in 2022.

In 2019, the team expanded by bringing on a few regulars, including Colleen Hudson and her husband, Dan. The expansion helped launch a new leg of the business, Many Hands Coffee Co., a coffee roaster and mobile coffee business rooted in sharing/donating proceeds of every sale/event.

Brothers Nick and Jesse Bradley have also joined the team more recently, now bringing ownership of the coffee bar to an astounding eight, all of whom live in Germantown & Mt Airy, with a good number who grew up in the area.

Like most businesses, when the pandemic hit, the ability to keep income steady became an uphill battle. The team resiliently adapted to the pandemic through modified window services and other pivots, but ultimately, the impact resulted in their beloved home being shuttered.

“(We) loved our old space on Maplewood Mall but knew that we did not want to leave Germantown altogether,” Colleen said. “We are the coffee shop for people who just want to grab and go, but we are also a gathering place, and [that] really is the heart of what we care about.”

Orion-Butler called the pandemic a “one-two punch” that only worsened when Greene Street Friends changed their drop-off and dismissal system, which “cut daily sales by 60%.”

But the team is moving on from its past and desires to instill old habits in the new space by keeping it the community hub it was.

“All in all, we seek to build a space where our neighbors and beyond can come together in an artistic, creative space that seeks to connect folks over delicious coffee and food,” said Orion-Butler.

The cafe locally sources a selection of its bites and ingredients, getting pastries from Young American Hard Cider across the street and muffins from Merzbachers.

Stephanie Cole, co-owner of Young American Hard Cider, says she values the cafe’s community work and how they integrate the community into the business framework. 

“I love this community hub. It’s a big part of my social time, and I know coming here will bring enriching conversation.”

They intend to reintroduce their well-known open mic event series at the end of February, with other events anticipated to pick up in the Spring. The teams shared that some community groups have already wanted to meet in the space.

GEB also hopes to finish the second floor by late spring or summer.

Stop by the Germantown Espresso Bar Monday through Friday, from  6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., or Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Come make us your early morning living room!” Said Colleen.