PLATED: Espresso Yourself on Pacific Avenue

Barista Kendall Chade helps works the register during Verve's debut week. (Christina Waters)

The all-new, urban gigantic oasis of coffee, pastries and abundant seating opened at the top of Pacific Mall in downtown Santa Cruz last week. Three separate barista stations form a service peninsula that juts out into the wraparound seating/schmoozing/studying areas. Windows allow vistas out onto both Front Street and Pacific Avenue. Repurposed antique wood siding lines the walls, sharing space with huge splashy oil paintings and little retail islands.

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