After 24 years of service, a beloved Boise institution has undergone a significant transformation as Big City Coffee and Cafe closed its doors to make way for Caffeina Kitchen. The new establishment, which opened on September 6, 2024, at 1416 W. Grove St., aims to honor the legacy of its predecessor while introducing a fresh approach under the Caffeina Coffee Roasting Company brand.
Preserving Tradition While Embracing Change
Caffeina Kitchen represents the latest expansion for Caffeina Coffee Roasting Company, a women-owned and family-operated business with deep roots in the Boise community. The new downtown location maintains many of Big City’s popular menu items, including their signature cinnamon rolls and biscuits and gravy, ensuring that longtime patrons can still enjoy their favorite dishes.
Lyndsey Hopkins, owner of Caffeina Coffee Roasting Company, expressed admiration for Big City’s former owner Sarah Fendley and aims to maintain the community spirit that made the original cafe such a fixture in downtown Boise.
“Our community—employees and customers alike—is what makes Caffeina truly special. It’s not just about coffee; it’s about connecting with people, building an environment where everyone feels like part of an extended family,” Hopkins stated.
While Fendley is stepping back from operations, she has assured customers that the Big City brand will return in some form in the future. In the meantime, Caffeina Kitchen hopes to provide a welcoming space that preserves cherished memories while writing a new chapter for the location.
A Growing Local Success Story
The opening of Caffeina Kitchen adds to an impressive portfolio of locations for the roasting company, which currently operates four establishments across Boise and Meridian: Caffeina Roasting Company on State Street, Caffeina Roasting Company on Overland, JoVinos in Eagle, and now Caffeina Kitchen in downtown Boise.
This expansion is part of an impressive growth trajectory for a company that began with humble origins. The Caffeina story traces back to 2011, when Hopkins opened the first brick-and-mortar café called Coffee Studio in Meridian. By 2014, the business had developed proprietary espresso and coffee blends, and in 2015, expanded into equipment maintenance with the purchase of Premier Beverage Service.
The Caffeina Roasting Company officially launched in 2018 with the purchase of their first Ozturk Bay coffee roaster and the opening of their roasting house on State & Collister in Boise. This vertical integration allowed the company to control quality at every stage of the coffee production and service process.
Looking Toward the Future
The transition of Big City Coffee to Caffeina Kitchen represents more than just a change in ownership—it highlights the resilience and adaptability of local businesses in Boise’s competitive food and beverage landscape.
Hopkins has ambitious plans for further expansion in 2025, including a new café in the North End/Southeast Boise area. The company has already launched Caffeina Kiosks at Micron and ESI, and is preparing to open a second roastery, café, and commissary kitchen in Alpine, Wyoming.
Recently recognized with the Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Supporter of the Year award, Caffeina continues to emphasize community connections and quality service as cornerstones of its business philosophy.
As Caffeina Kitchen welcomes its first customers in the historic downtown location, it stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of locally-owned coffee shops as community gathering spaces and the ongoing evolution of Boise’s vibrant culinary scene.
For downtown Boise residents and workers seeking their morning coffee fix or a relaxing lunch spot, Caffeina Kitchen promises to deliver the familiar favorites they’ve come to love, complemented by the craft coffee expertise that has made Caffeina a growing presence in Idaho’s food and beverage industry.
