The Daily Grind

As patrons pass Cadence Cyclery on Keller’s Main Street, they might be intrigued by the collection of shiny bikes lined up in the front of the store. But as they open the door and walk past the array of wheels, they’ll find quality coffee tucked away just waiting to be enjoyed.

Owner Aston Haswell opened Velo Café inside Cadence Cyclery last August with a vision of creating a hang out for local cyclists. Habitual bikers know Keller has a thriving community that takes advantage of trails like Bear Creek and participates in nearby cycling meetups. However, Aston felt there was not a local option for those who wanted to hang out and relax with friends before or after their daily ride.

“The biking community is so tight-knit,” Aston says. “We wanted to create a different atmosphere for our regulars.”

So he sought out nearby roasters to find a coffee partner that could help them whip up quality caffeinated drinks. After sitting down with Avoca Coffee Roasters in Fort Worth, he knew he could bring their handcrafted coffee closer to his biking customers. He worked with Avoca to select the best machines, find the right products and create a comforting environment.

Their menu includes the basics – espressos, macchiatos and lattes – along with different milk options and syrups. Guests can just as easily sit down and work while sipping on a lavender latte as they can grab a cappuccino to go. They do offer the occasional seasonal drink, but Aston says it was important to them to keep things simple. That way, the focus would always be on the quality of their drinks and the environment they created for their patrons.

“We wanted to keep it simple and somewhat traditional,” Aston says.

When compared to other handcrafted drinks, their $4.25 price point for a signature latte makes it an easy go-to during a morning commute or after a long ride. As they become more popular, Velo will be bringing in more regular food vendors to help round out their morning offerings. They currently work with a local baker that brings up pastries on Saturdays.

They hope to continue expanding their food selection with the help of local restaurants who also cater to healthy lifestyles – like products from Keller’s Juice Junkies. So whether you try a drink after bringing your bike in for a tune up, want to learn more about cycling from the experts or are just looking for a new latte location, Velo creates a space that brings people together.