Wichita coffee shop is best in Kansas and ‘the future of coffee shops,’ magazine says
.jpg "Leslie Coffee Co. in Delano, shown in an archive photo, has been named best coffee shop in Kansas by Food & Wine.")
A Delano District spot has been named best coffee shop in Kansas by Food & Wine magazine.
Leslie Coffee Co., which sits in the historic Odd Fellows building at 930 W. Douglas, opened its doors at the end of 2018.
Food & Wine described it as a shop you “walked into and felt like you’d leapt forward about a decade or more. Everything is just so perfect in the generously sized space with all the plants, lights and chic accents.”
... ”This feels like the future of coffee shops, living proof that you can have great hospitality, empowered well-trained employees working for living wage, top-notch coffee, a spirit of inclusiveness and a great sense of community, all in one memorable package,” the listing reads.
Shop owner Sarah Leslie says the announcement made her happy and that it aligned with her mission and values.
“I think what they said about the space and the vibe made me feel like my values and mission are coming through to people if that’s how they perceived it,” Leslie said over a phone call.
“Coffee shops are great places for lots of different types of people to come meet and mix and try to create a space where everybody feels welcome,” Leslie added.
Leslie Coffee Co. was previously named the seventh-best coffee shop in the country by Food & Wine magazine in 2019.
in 2021, it won the emerging small business award from the Kansas Small Business Administration. It now is a finalist for the Wichita Chamber of Commerce small business of the year award, Leslie said.