Two coffee shops opening in Rexburg
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REXBURG – Two prominent coffee franchises are coming to Rexburg.
Construction on a new Starbucks is currently underway on University Boulevard near Applebees. As of Thursday morning, the building’s outer shell is complete and it’s all enclosed.
Construction started just a few months ago and city Planning and Zoning administrator Alan Parkinson is surprised by the progress in such a short amount of time. Starbucks applied for a building permit with the city about three months ago, Parkinson tells EastIdahoNews.com.
He isn’t sure when the building will be complete, but he estimates sometime in the next few months.
“I really don’t know where they’re at on the internal part of the building. That usually takes quite a while to make sure the machinery (has been installed) correctly,” Parkinson says. “They’re trying to get all the driveways done so they can finish up the interior even if the snow has fallen.”
EastIdahoNews.com reached out to Starbucks for additional information. We have not received a response.
Dutch Bros has also applied for a building permit. The building plan and application is under review and awaiting approval from the city. Construction is pending until then.
Parkinson says the company has a spot in mind, but he cannot divulge where it is because the property has not yet been purchased.
“This potential location is still in the very early stages of planning, so we don’t have any information to share at this time,” a company spokeswoman writes in an email to EastIdahoNews.com.
Java Espress opened at 565 North 2nd East in August. The addition of Starbucks and Dutch Bros brings three national coffee shops to the city for the first time.
The vast majority of Rexburg’s population are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Many of them do not drink coffee or tea, which makes the opening of a coffee shop a bit surprising to some.
Starbucks has not responded to that point, but Parkinson points out the menu for both restaurants includes a lot more than just coffee.
Starbucks’ menu includes an assortment of hot chocolate and cold mixed drinks with lemonade, as well as multiple breakfast, lunch and snack items.
Dutch Bros’ menu includes soda, energy drinks, lemonade, smoothies, hot chocolate, muffins and other snacks.
“Coffee is just one part of a very varied menu,” says Parkinson. “Energy drinks and things like that (at other businesses) are doing very well in Rexburg.”