Caffeina Kitchen Opens in Former Big City Coffee Location

Eight months after a significant transition in Boise’s coffee scene, Caffeina Kitchen has established itself as a downtown staple at 1416 W. Grove St., the former home of the long-standing Big City Coffee and Cafe. Since opening on September 6th, 2024, the establishment has successfully balanced honoring its predecessor’s legacy while bringing Caffeina Coffee Roasting Company’s unique approach to the downtown market.

Downtown Boise Coffee Shop Preserves Local Favorites While Forging New Path

Caffeina Coffee Roasting Company, a women-owned and family-operated business founded in April 2018, has continued to strengthen its presence in the Treasure Valley throughout 2024 and early 2025. While the roasting company formally launched in 2018, its journey began in 2011 when founder Lyndsey Hopkins established Coffee Studio, the company’s first brick-and-mortar café in Meridian.

The transformation of Big City Coffee into Caffeina Kitchen represented a pivotal moment for both businesses last fall. After 24 years of operation, Big City Coffee owner Sarah Fendley decided to step back, though she assured patrons that the Big City brand would return in some form in the future. In the interim, Hopkins and the Caffeina team have maintained their commitment to honoring Big City’s legacy.

“Many of Big City’s signature items, including their popular cinnamon rolls and biscuits and gravy, will remain on the menu,” the company announced during the transition. This decision has proven successful, allowing Caffeina to retain the established customer base while gradually introducing their own culinary perspective to the downtown location.

Caffeina Roasting Company Expands Footprint Across Boise Local Business Scene

The downtown location continues to thrive as one of Caffeina’s four cafés in the Boise area. Other locations include Caffeina Roasting Company on State Street, Caffeina Roasting Company on Overland, and JoVinos in Eagle, Idaho. The State Street location, which opened in 2018, serves as the company’s roasting house and represents a significant milestone in Caffeina’s development as a vertically integrated coffee company.

For Hopkins, the downtown expansion continues to align with her broader vision. “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 has stated.

This philosophy has guided Caffeina’s evolution over the years. Since establishing their roasting house on State & Collister in Boise, the company has developed a full-service bakery and kitchen, opened additional cafes, and continued to grow its presence in the local coffee community.

The company culture is built on a foundation of hard work, integrity, and support, with a focus on fostering relationships with both customers and employees. As stated on their website, “Caffeina was born from the simple truth that we must first, care for what is living.”

This commitment to community has garnered recognition. Earlier last year, Caffeina was recognized with the Idaho Veterans Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Supporter of the Year award. The company continues to move forward with expansion plans outlined last year. Hopkins’ intention to open a new café in the North End/Southeast Boise area in 2025 is now underway, while the Caffeina Kiosks at Micron and ESI have been operating successfully since their launch. Plans for a second roastery, café, and commissary kitchen in Alpine, Wyoming continue to develop.

From Big City Coffee to Caffeina Kitchen: A Seamless Transition for Coffee Lovers

The continued success of Caffeina Kitchen in the downtown location demonstrates both the resilience of local businesses and the strength of community connections in Boise’s evolving culinary landscape. By preserving favorite menu items while introducing Caffeina’s unique offerings, the establishment has created a seamless transition that honors the past while looking toward the future.

For downtown Boise residents and workers who once relied on Big City Coffee for their morning routine, Caffeina Kitchen has become a familiar favorite with its own distinct character. As spring turns to summer in 2025, the aroma of fresh coffee and baked goods continues to emanate from 1416 W. Grove St., with Caffeina Kitchen cementing its place in Boise’s vibrant coffee culture.