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Renovation brewing at Coffee Beans & Bistro
Baci owner buys coffee shop, plans to add more food options

by Janet Pelletier

For three weeks, downtown patrons may have noticed the windows of Coffee Beans & Bistro covered with parchment paper and a note on the front door announcing the coffee shop is being remodeled.

The renovations are expected to take at least another two months, according to Michael Hughes, who purchased the shop in April.

Hughes, who also owns Baci Cafe further north on Main Street, said he plans to keep the business as a gourmet coffee and espresso shop as well as offering casual dining and more food options.

"We're going through the (city) permit process now," Hughes said. "We're starting the construction next week."

"We'll be open earlier and later in the day," he added.

Hughes said he's excited at the opportunity to revamp the store, which is located in the busiest part of downtown, next to Tully's Plaza.

"We're probably going to rename it," he said. "It has a lot of history to it, free Internet, and we're going to keep that going."