- Photo courtesy of Ike’s Coffee & Tea Facebook page.
- Ike Isaacson is closing his second coffee shop in the Whole Foods Shopping Center this Sunday.
The Speedway Ike’s Coffee & Tea location will shut its doors next week to make way for a new restaurant. The coffee lounge has been located in the Whole Foods shopping center on 3400 E. Speedway for more than 11 years. Coffee shop owner Ike Isaacson, 39, broke the news to his 13 employees that the landlord had the opportunity to re-tenant the space Wednesday night.
“I love my employees,” Issacson told The Range. “Last night, when we broke the news, they couldn’t have be more kind and understanding.”
Issacson is paying his employees severance for the next two weeks. Ike says there’s no hard feelings towards the landlords because he has been treated so well throughout the years.
Isaacson says there are currently no plans to reopen another location, but he recently signed a five-year lease for the original Ike’s java lounge located in downtown’s Pioneer building.
Sunday is the shop’s last day of operation.
It’s sad to see another locally owned business shut its doors. I have frequented that place for school and casual geeky comic book meetups, so I’m sad to see it go. I’m anxious to find out what franchise will take over that space.
More information will be provided when we know.
UPDATE:
Jersey Mike’s Subs, chain headquartered in New Jersey, will take over Ike’s Coffee & Tea location, according to CCIM representive Debbie Heslop. There are currently 18 locations in Northern Arizona. Heslop says the restaurant could be ready for business within three to four months.
This article appears in Jan 23-29, 2014.
Now this SUCKS big-time!
So unhappy about this.
I have been going there every Monday and some Fridays for several years. I can’t think of another place that will be a good substitute. Damn!
SUPER LAME!!!!
Bummer. I’m gonna miss the French Connection sandwich that was held over on the menu from when it was Cuppucino’s.
NO FREE LUNCH
Boooooo
I remember coming to that place around 9 at night about four years ago with a man who would later become my mentor. I sat there nibbling on a lemon bar and an iced coffee, scared of what the next few months but for some reason, the place calmed me. I will always remember the place as the point where I started a new chapter of my life and it saddens me to see them close.
Just what we need, another east coast based chain coming to town. I won’t be patronizing.
Seriously? We have enough sub places, we don’t need another one. Hey, Ike move to the northwest side. We won’t be stupid enough to kick our precious coffee and glorious cafe out for some stupid sub shop!
I live across the street from Ikes. Now the only sit-down coffee shop near by is a starbucks.
Its sad to hear a sandwich shop chain is moving in. Especially given that within 1.5mi of that location there there are: 3x Egees, “Lukes Itialian beef sandwichs”, Baggins, Cheba Hut, PJs Subs, Franks, and a Jimmy Johns.
… but hey im sure this 10th sandwich place will do just fine~
Very sad. Ike’s on Speedway has been like my home office. Good coffee, good food, and great people. It makes no sense, either. It’s not like that shopping c
Crappy comment system! Decided to post on its own and no way to edit! Anyhow, to finish my thought, it’s not like that shopping center is at capacity. This move on the part of the landlord is very shortsighted and stupid. Anyone want to start a pool for how long it will be until that space is vacant again? A lot less than 11 years, I’m thinking.
This is simply another triumph of GREED. Many of us who are regulars at this place have been going there for nearly 2 decades (going back to when it was Cuppucinno’s). This was one of those comfortable, reasonably priced places where “everybody knows your name” like on the Cheers TV show. 4 days notice of closing — Ike you are truly a putz. Giving your employees, many of whom have been there forever, who treated not just your customers but your family as well with love and kindnes, just 2 weeks severance pay — what a cheapskate. My contempt also extends to the owners of the Rancho Center strip mall, who no doubt facilitated this transaction
owner gives money to republicans, close down, I don’t care.
I am sad that this is closing. My daughter used to work for Ike and he is a wonderful employer. Tucson losing another treasure to corporate food. I will not be going to the new restaurant, ever.
Truly bad news, this was our neighborhood coffeehouse. And a Tucson original to boot. The joint was jumping this morning, as usual on Saturday, and all were openly dismayed by the imminent closing. One customer in line got teary-eyed, no kidding. The staff are as bummed as we are. Go there tomorrow (Sunday) and give them and the place a great sendoff.
Sad that the great folks who work there and the great vibe they created are no more.
Mad that they were hijacked and tossed out unceremoniously; has all the hallmarks of typical Republican trash ownership. I look forward with great anticipation to Mike’s Jerkoph Subs falling flat on it’s face. I will then lead the effort to reclaim the great staff and atmosphere.
This sucks. The best sub will be no match for the sandwiches (and the omelets!) that Ike’s served here. Ike’s was really a great place to relax, study, or just hang out.
Locally owned coffee shops with great food are a gem to the community and IKEs was at the top of that list, and the only tasty one central. Disappointed beyond despair. I pray he returns to the area. Another sub shop? Nope, Tucson does not need that. Guess this new group and the landlord didn’t do their market research very well. I give it two years, IF they have enough cash to keep them floating that long.
In protest I won’t eat at the new place that is going there.