Located on E. Evans Avenue under the One Observatory Park Apartments, Lost Coffee is the newest member of a chain of locally owned coffee shops that started in Castle Rock, Colo. in 2010. The Evans location is the first expansion out of the Castle Rock area for the company.

This new addition to the Denver coffee scene is located in a perfect area for the service of DU members and the University neighborhood at large, taking up an empty space on the corner of Evans and University that has been vacant for quite some time.

The store held a soft opening the week of the Jan. 8, but it has planned a grand opening for February.

Lost Coffee’s exterior is nothing special, just streetside windows, but the interior is a splendid minimalist space that feels much bigger than it is in reality. The space is made up of bar-style seating against the walls and two large communal tables in the middle of the store. Small minimalist touches such as little potted plants and a circular shelving unit full of take-home coffee and other accessories create a nice vibe within the the store. The decor isn’t fully finished yet—according to store manager Erica—and the shop still has some finishing touches to go. An exterior sign is going up soon, and other features are expected to be added to the interior. One of the most exciting additions to come in the upcoming weeks is the inclusion of two wall-mounted taps for Nitro brewed iced coffee and housemade Kombucha. Even in its incomplete state, though, it’s a beautiful and fitting space and a welcome addition to the DU area.

The menu at Lost Coffee is pretty standard coffeeshop fare–not as simple as some similar stores (Amante, Little Owl) but also not as complex as the average Starbucks. There’s the typical Americano ($2.15 for a small), cappuccino ($3.10), iced coffee ($2.25 for a medium, no word on how much the Nitro brew will be) and latte ($3.40). There’s also some speciality selections, such as a White Dublin (white mocha and Irish cream $4.35) or the Sweet Cannella (caramel and cinnamon latte $4.35). The shop also sells tea options, such as a Chai latte ($3.25) and multiple bagged and loose leaf teas ($2.65).

This reviewer had a cold brewed iced coffee. The cold brew is brewed for 24 hours straight to create a creamy, yet strong iced drink that beats out other, more diluted options such as those put out by the average chain coffee company. The cold brew was delectable and cheaper than the options at similar shops. It would have been extra tasty with a little vanilla, and this reviewer is very excited for the Nitro brew option, which opens up an entirely new door of flavor.

Lost Coffee might be very new to the Denver coffee scene, but the strength of their Castle Rock stores definitely lends them a hand in entering Denver’s competitive market. Lost’s modern space is a perfect addition to the cosmopolitan stretch of University Boulevard. The store is bright and spacious, and could definitely be a spot for studying or conversation, though it also seems a little more suited to the quick stop or morning coffee run.

The staff are friendly and very knowledgeable, and the space exudes a certain confidence and dedication to the craft of making speedy, no-frills, simple and delicious coffee in a beautiful modern setting.

Cost: $

Suggestions: Iced coffee (Nitro brew when available), Chai latte.

Open Monday- Saturday 6 a.m. – TBD

Sunday 7 a.m. – TBD