The Loft at the Old Factory Coffee Shop is a relaxing environment for students - and community members - to hang out or study.
Community. Conversation. Inspiration. These are the values that Prof. Sowienski believes in and implements in Orange City’s newest coffee shop: The Old Factory Coffee Shop.
Sowienski learned to make coffee as a chaplain assistant, in preparation for church services. “It was horrible coffee though!” he admits with a chuckle. In reality, however, Sowienski learned as he went. He believes in making quality coffee for quality customers. He grinds his coffee in small amounts so that each cup is as fresh as possible.
The Old Factory Coffee Shop has been a dream come true for Sowienski and his wife Rola. They admit that this dream did not come easy. “It’s hard work,” he says. “It’s more work than I had anticipated.”
The charming Old Factory has a long history in Orange City. It was built in 1900 to be a horse barn and since then has morphed into different community businesses such as the first Vogel Paint Factory and later the Wooden Shoe Factory. Sowienski respects the history of the Old Factory and has kept key parts, such as the wooden floor and the shoe equipment.
Sowienski began his shop with college students in mind but acknowledges that it has become a part of the Orange City community. With its wireless internet, quiet nooks and crannies for deep conversation, and upstairs loft for just about anything, the Old Factory is the perfect place for any get together.
If you know of the coffee, you know of the loft. With doors hanging from the ceiling, quiet corners, and big spaces filled with comfortable couches, the loft provides for the individual Bible study or the loud study party. Its persona is that of an attic: a feeling of comforting memories, with exciting secrets behind every corner. No wonder it is the most popular part of the whole shop.
The Old Factory offers espresso and house coffee as well as non-coffee drinks such as teas, Italian sodas and bottled drinks. Rola brings in fresh, homemade scones and cookies and they also offer muffins. If you ask around, you are sure to hear rave reviews about the Old Factory’s coffee. Sowienski beams as he mentioned the comments he’s heard such as, “I have waited seven years for a good cup of coffee in Orange City!”
The Old Factory is located at 110 4th street SE, about a five minute walk from NW. It is open Monday through Saturday from 8 – 11a.m., 2 – 5p.m., and 8 – 11p.m.