Pedro Abbate, co-owner with his wife, Laura, of Foundation Grounds, starts his day with an espresso because it’s the best way to tell if the coffee is pouring right. “I come in – how are the espresso shots pouring? – I’d rather have them start over than give somebody something that’s not quality,” he said.
Abbate has lots going on. Foundation Grounds (7298 Manchester Road) is expanding into the space next door, which should be complete by mid-summer.
Fourteen seats will be added to the existing 24. The current bathroom will become the door to the new space. Two new bathrooms — one to be ADA accessible — will be in the addition.
A new back door will exit to an expanded garden, where they’ll grow herbs and kale. The kale will be mainly for a new organic juice bar. “That’s the best farm-to-table I can do,” Abbate said.
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They’ll also add a coffee pour over station, and bring in guest coffees from St. Louis and around the country. Blue Print Coffee, from University City, may be one of the first.
Abbate said they didn’t know what to expect when they opened the shop five and a half years ago.
“I hadn’t seen coffee culture here yet,” he said. “I hadn’t seen folks who would be interested in farm-to-table. I didn’t know if the community would support us.”
Opening day of the shop was the day Highway 64/40 was closed for renovation, which routed everyone down Manchester Road and right by Foundation Grounds.
“We became known outside of Maplewood before we were known inside Maplewood,” Abbate said. “We had the walk-in traffic because it’s Maplewood, but we opened in December. Six months later it opened back up, and we started knowing the neighbors.”
