H-S: Beyú Caffé hires Guglhupf's Melie for chef, plans Nov. opening

Downtown's newest retail establishment, Dorian Bolden's Beyú Caffé, is under construction and on its way in the historic Snow Building near Five Points on Main Street.

The establishment, first announced last fall and which set its location as the Snow Bldg. earlier this spring, promises to be a nice addition to the burgeoning dining and nightlife scene in Durham's city center. It's the brainchild of Duke graduate Bolden, a young entrepreneur who's gotten funding and support from a range of investors, many of whom he had to find anew after last fall's economic meltdown.

Beyú Caffé is planning coffee; wine, beer and cocktails; everyday fare like sandwiches and salads; gourmet desserts and appetizers; and live entertainment for the space, including jazz and poetry. 

The Herald-Sun's Monica Chen reported this week that Bolden has hired one-time Guglhupf chef Mary Melie to run the kitchen.

The opening date is currently pegged at November 2, with a soft opening to possibly precede. More as we know it on plans for the café.

Meanwhile, Downtown Durham Inc.'s new video blog Find Your Cool has taken a look at the space and brings you an under-construction tour:

Comments

[Yolanda]

Looking good... congratulations!

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=679568504]

I can't wait for Beyu to open!! It's gonna be AMAZING! I have had the pleasure of working with Dorian, who is a true and genuine person with a heart the size of Durham! Even though he's so busy with all the details that go into opening a new business (I can't imagine!), he still makes time to be a mentor for children who need a friend...and he is obviously a great daddy and wonderful husband- I am just blessed to have met this wonderful soul! I wish him the best of luck with this endeavor, and I can't wait to come chill at Beyu where I can Be ME!! :)

[Cory]

Congrats, looks like it's coming along nicely. Can't wait to check it out in person the next time I'm in NC

[GB]

I will travel from Japan to be at this opening! The time, sweat equity, and passion that the Boldens have put into this project is unmeasurable. Looking forward to entering the finish project!

[Shalethia Glover]

I can't wait to see the finished product. I wish you the very best!! Your business will be very successful and a great addition to the Durham area!!! Congrats!!

[Tammy Tanner]

This is GREAT!!!! I am so excited for you!!!Congrats and I look forward to visiting your cafe.

[L. Johnson]

Amazing...young professional making dreams happen. Starbucks who??? This place will be the next Billion dollar concept...no doubts at all!!!!!!!!!

[MrsSteel]

PLEASE tell me this place will be open & serving desserts after performances at the DPAC!

[TSQ75]

I'm just happy to have an actual coffee shop downtown that will open in the morning and *actually* have some coffee brewed along with general coffee shop foods. and a place I can actually sit comfortably in the evenings with a cup and a book and not be bothered.

NON Existent in downtown durham as of today...

[Chuckde424]

Blue Coffee, Rue Cler, West End Wine Bar, Parker & Otis, MadHatter, JoeVanGoe's, Broad Street Cafe, . . just to mention a few. I look forward to Beyu too and I think that their concept is unique but TSQ75, I just couldn't let your assertion stand without a response.

[TSQ75]

Chuckde424....sorry but I have to disagree especially on the point of Blue coffee. The times I have tried to go in there when they open, its either not open, or coffee isnt even brewed. no one tries to apologize either--they say "it's not ready" and go on chatting. muffins and bagels come from costco. and never open past 5 or 6pm.

and mind you, i said Downtown.

[Erik Landfried]

If Beyu is successful, I'll be interested to see how that affects Blue Coffee. To me, the good aspects of Blue Coffee are the location, the prices, and the friendly staff. The bad aspects are the disgusting couches and chairs (my apologies if those have been switched out in the past month or two), the poor quality of the muffins/bagels, and as TSQ75 mentions, the sometimes 15 minute wait just to get a cup of coffee.

Beyu's location is just as good and if they can come close to matching Blue's prices and friendliness, Blue could be in some trouble if they don't adapt since Beyu promises to have much nicer seating and food/drink selection. Not that this is a bad thing - I think one reason Blue gets away with not having coffee brewed and stank-ass couches is that there is little-to-no competition downtown. Maybe they will step up their game a little once Beyu is in business.

And please don't read this as a trashing of Blue Coffee - I do like the place. It's just always had this "We're the only game in town" vibe that I think is going to have to change.

[twitter.com/AdrianDCC]

Durham is fortunate to have Dorian Bolden. Not only because he brings his charm to the downtown Durham food scene - but his amazing vision as well. It is people like Dorian who inspire other entrepreneurs to follow their dreams and bring their business concepts to life. All of Durham benefits from this kind of courage. I for one cant wait to experience Beyu Caffe!

[Adrienne]

Great addition to downtown Durham. btw - Beyu is already at DPAC in the concession stands so you don't have to wait!!!!!! And, of course, we will send folks that way after the shows.

[Baba Akwasi Makinde]

May the ancestors and wisdom of nature grant this son, his wife, and their newborn child success and prosperity for their sacrifice and vision. As the Sun rises from the East and sets in the West may it be so....

[scon]

just a quick followup on TSQ75 & chuckde424's dialogue....i agree with the chucde424's response about the other great locations in downtown Durham, and the conversation seemed to get sidetracked into the relative merits of one place in particular...I just wanted to re-emphasize that both Rue Cler & West End Wine Bar are truly downtown and truly great locations for coffee & more. Hardworking people witha passion for what they do.