Mudhouse, which currently has one coffeehouse downtown and four espresso bars in the Markets of Tiger Fuel at Bellair, Forest Lakes, Mill Creek and Pantops, is setting up its second coffeehouse in Crozet at the old site of Uncle Charlie’s, which closed a few months ago. Owner John Lawrence, who called us from the spot in the midst of some seriously loud hammering in the background, tells us renovation of the cavernous venue should be completed and the new coffeehouse opened by early summer.
“This space is large enough so we can host regular tea tastings of our seasonal menus and coffee cuppings of our Black Label single origin and estate coffee,” says Lawrence. The additional square footage also allows for an expanded menu of sweet and savory snacks, including something called Gooey Things from Sarah Deigle—a former Inn at Meander Inn pastry chef and co-owner with her husband, Paul, of Real Food catering. Lawrence says his personal favorite Gooey Thing is the Jasmine Rice Pudding with Roasted Crozet Peaches. “I have to wear a helmet when I eat it because it’s so good it makes me want to put my head through the wall.”
The Crozet Mudhouse will offer music “similar to the kinds of acts that played when the space was occupied by Kokopelli’s Cafe,” says Lawrence, who plans to focus on jazz and acoustic acts.
Mudhouse is opening a second coffee shop in Crozet.