This Goddard cafe is expanding into Wichita even more quickly than the owner expected

Last week, Cofellow Coffee Parlor owner Jeremy Weldon shared his plans to expand into Wichita from his home base in Goddard. The plan included putting on Monday coffee popups at 1812 W. Douglas — the Delano space where Fusion restaurant used to operate that is now home to a mixed-use creative space.

Just two days later, Weldon said, he got a call that caused him to significantly accelerate his Wichita plans.

On the phone was a representative from The Commerce Club, a co-working space inside The National at 150 N. Main. The National is the new name for the Commerce Bank building, which has been remodeled and repurposed as luxury apartments and office space. The new building also has a spot for a coffee shop. right at the corner of First and Main, and since spring, it had been occupied by Valley Center-based coffee chain Buffalo Brew.

But Buffalo Brew recently closed the shop, and the building owners were looking for someone to fill it. Weldon’s Cofellow Coffee had come highly recommended, they told him.

And then, Weldon said, he suddenly had a lease. He’ll open a Cofellow Coffee on the ground floor of The National sometime in November, he said. Its hours will likely be 7 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

Weldon, who first opened his Goddard shop at 107 N. Main in May 2023, said it’s been slow there lately and he wanted to try his luck in Wichita. His first Wichita popup at the space on West Douglas was busy on Monday, and he’s planning to do it again from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. this coming Monday, Oct. 14. Eventually, he said, he may add a permanent coffee bar in the Delano space.

In the meantime, he said, he’s excited about the spot in The National, which he hopes will attract people who live and work in the building and in nearby buildings.

“It has built-in customers,” he said.

Weldon will have about 700 square feet and said he’ll have space for people to sit inside and outdoors. He also plans to serve some food items, including pastries or items prepared by other local businesses.

Despite his quick move into Wichita, though, Weldon wants to assure Goddard that he’s not going anywhere.

“That’s our flagship,” he said.

Denise Neil

The Wichita Eagle

316-268-6327

Denise Neil has covered restaurants and entertainment since 1997. Her Dining with Denise Facebook page is the go-to place for diners to get information about local restaurants. She’s a regular judge at local food competitions and speaks to groups all over Wichita about dining.