Actions

Portland baker takes over longstanding Carytown coffee house

Posted at 10:05 AM, Nov 12, 2015
and last updated 2015-11-12 10:05:43-05

A Portland baker has taken over a Carytown coffee house.

Beth Oristian opened Sugar & Twine at the end of October at 2928 W. Cary St. in the former Capital Coffee and Desserts space.

Oristian, 30, bought Capital Coffee in July and launched her new venture after a few months of operating under the old brand.

The new business sells house-made pastries, muffins and cookies and coffee from Trager Brothers Coffee and Adibo Coffee Co. In addition to retail sales, Sugar & Twine sells its baked goods to the Richmond Restaurant Group, which owns six restaurants in the area, including the nearby Daily Kitchen and Bar in Carytown.

Beth Oristian has taken over a Carytown bakery and cafe. Photos by Michael Thompson.

Beth Oristian has taken over a Carytown bakery and cafe. Photos by Michael Thompson.

Oristian said she approached Capital Coffee owner Beth Burgess earlier this year and in seven months worked out the details of a deal, the financial terms of which she declined to disclose. Burgess had owned the business for 12 years, Oristian said.

Before announcing the change in ownership, Oristian worked under the Capital Coffee banner to learn how the business worked.

“I really wanted to get to know who the regulars were and who it was that kept the place afloat,” she said. “It’s been a very smooth transition as far as the customer base is concerned.”

Oristian said she has been able to retain regulars while also giving the cafe a modern look and renewed emphasis on pastries.

She said it cost around $30,000 to open Sugar & Twine. She financed it with a combination of personal savings and $16,290 she raised with the crowdfunding site Kickstarter. The business was closed for two weeks while the cafe got its makeover.

Continue reading on RichmondBizSense.com.

CBS6-News-at-4pm-and-Jennifer-Hudson-480x360.jpg

Entertainment

Watch 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' weekdays at 3 p.m. on CBS 6!

📱 Download CBS 6 News App
The app features breaking news alerts, live video, weather radar, traffic incidents, closings and delays and more.