Milton’s Cafe
Lawrence, KS (2013, Current Project)
901 New Hampshire Street
Milton’s Cafe opened in 1997 at 920 Massachusetts Street, where The Roost currently resides. The cafe closed after 15 years of business, but reopened in 2013 at 901 New Hampshire Street. It is part of the 901 Building, which houses other businesses and apartments. The current cafe is about 1,200 square feet with a 770 square-foot outdoor dining area. Hernly assisted with the reopening plans in 2013 and is currently working on a 1,100 square-foot expansion.
A dining area that seats 28 was created, featuring booths and tables. A bar area was installed, complete with barstools, sinks, and a prep station. The commercial kitchen was outfitted with a pizza oven and prep table. Two bathrooms were constructed, along with storage space. A grab-and-go case was added to streamline takeout orders. Additionally, an outdoor patio was designed, offering seating for 32. The proposed expansion includes a new dining area with about 50 more seats, also featuring booths and tables. To create a unified space, a wall will be removed, and a waiting area will be added between the two dining sections. The expanded kitchen will include additional prep and storage areas, along with a walk-in cooler. A new unisex bathroom will also be constructed.
Milton’s is located in the heart of Lawrence, with the goal of bringing the diverse Lawrence community together. When Milton’s closed in 2012, the owner, David Lewis, and Milton’s chef, Sula Teller, opened a new restaurant in the 901 Building called Loopy’s. Although Loopy’s served food all day, it did not have the same success as Milton’s. After about a year, Milton’s reopened with its original menu. They offer breakfast and lunch food, along with breakfast cocktails, coffee, and tea.
