Granada Coffee: Open the Door to Enchantment

Tucked between the Emporia Granada Theater and the Emporia Arts Center in downtown Emporia, the Granada Coffee Company is a charming little coffee shop with a full-bodied personality.

Rocky Slaymaker opened the Granada Coffee Company in 2002. Locating the shop next to a theater is an appropriate choice: Rocky worked in Hollywood for 16 years before returning to his hometown and starting something new. As a set dresser and production assistant, Rocky worked behind the scenes on movies like Dante’s Peak and Buffy the Vampire Slayer and TV series like Charmed and Birds of Prey. One of his first projects, the 1988 film Satisfaction, also happened to be Julia Roberts’ first credited film role.

If Rocky provided the inspiration for the Granada Coffee Company, devoted manager and barista Beverly Beers provides the heart. Bev is a familiar face to regulars, and instrumental in hiring, training and supervising coffee baristas who are knowledgeable and personable.

Voted Best Coffee in the Flint Hills 13 years in a row, Granada Coffee Company is widely known for their rich, aromatic house blend. It all begins with a strong relationship with coffee producers, plants that are located in optimal elevation and climate, highly trained roasters and passionate baristas. Many of Granada Coffee Company’s beans come from heirloom plants which produce a higher quality of fruit.

Friendly baristas can suggest the right drink, or order from a full menu of hot coffee drinks, mochas, lattes, espresso, hot chocolate and hot tea. Those looking to cool off will find a wide selection of Italian sodas, frozen blended coffee drinks, frozen fruit teas, iced tea, and lemonade. Milk options include 2%, skim, soy, almond, and lactose-free. The combinations available are endless!

Muffins, biscotti, and croissants round out the menu. A small retail area offers handmade cards and other gifts, as well as beans by the pound. An aromatic bag of coffee grounds sits ready for gardeners in search of natural fertilizer.

The coffee shop is decorated with art and memorabilia from the Granada Theater, reflecting both the historic space and Rocky’s previous life. Although the interior is tiny, the shop can accommodate several customers. Cozy chairs sit in front of the broad picture window overlooking the hustle and bustle of Commercial Street. Small tables and chairs scattered around the shop invite patrons to sip a beverage and indulge in long conversations. During warm weather, sidewalk seating provides an al fresco people watching experience.

Whether you need a morning pick me up, a place for a good chat with a made to order beverage, or an afternoon dose of caffeine, the Granada Coffee Company is ready to become your go-to neighborhood coffee shop.

The Granada Coffee Company is located at 809 Commercial Street. Hours are Monday to Friday 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Saturday 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., and Sunday 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.