An East Cambridge Institution | Loyal Nine
Coffeeshops are the cornerstones of neighborhoods around the globe. Whether it's a quick cup on the way to work or a casual pour-over on the weekend, the best days start at a favorite neighborhood parlor. Coffee Shop Corners highlights shops that have made an impression on us through our travels. Today we're heading to East Cambridge, Massachusetts—the home of Loyal Nine.
Part garage-band coffee shop, part locally-sourced eatery, Loyal Nine is our favorite place to grab a Chemex and a cappuccino and chill out when we're in the Boston area. We recently caught up with co-owner Daniel Myers to talk Boston coffee culture, interior design and find out a little more about the inspiration behind his Cambridge standout.
What inspired you to start Loyal Nine?
DM: Loyal Nine was born of a shared obsession with fresh ingredients and culinary traditions shared amongst Marc (Sheehan - co-owner and chef), Rebecca (Theris - co-owner) and myself. It quickly snowballed into an idea for a restaurant based on the culinary traditions and ingredients of coastal New England.
What's the most challenging aspect of opening a coffee shop?
DM: The most challenging aspect of opening a coffeeshop is spreading the word enough to adjust the habits of potential guests. Coffee consumption is so habit-based, and changing the rhythms of another can be quite a difficult mission.
What makes Loyal Nine different?
DM: Our collective passion for and persistence to maintain clean sourcing. Where everything we use comes from is of monumental importance to us. For example, Rebecca opted for a wine list that is 100% grower-producer. This way we know that each grape has been cared for throughout its entire life cycle.
You have a unique process for sourcing your coffee. Can you tell us about it?
DM: We use two roasters at a time here at Loyal Nine: our house roaster, Dark Matter Coffee, and a rotating guest. Dark Matter Coffee is a small yet growing roaster based in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village. They share a glowing exuberance and inimitable passion. Our guest roaster rotates on a 6-8 week basis. We try to feature small roasters with offerings that both stand out on their own and complement what we’re brewing from Dark Matter.
One thing that strikes me about Loyal Nine is the customers. They're not there just to eat and drink coffee, they hang out and enjoy the experience. Is that something you wanted to achieve from the get go?
DM: Without a doubt, this was certainly our goal. Coffeeshops began as a centralized space for folks to meet up, chat, discuss life, politics, etc. We wanted to provide a large space for our guests. We leave the full restaurant open during the day to allow plenty of space for meetings, studying, conversation, what have you. We host business meetings, neighborhood association meetings, workshops, coffee cupping, popups, so much.
Loyal Nine's interior decor has a unique minimal, rustic quality. How did you decide on this aesthetic?
DM: We wanted to reflect our style and the ambiance of coastal New England - ragged, raw, wood, stone, salt…We aimed to create a true and sincere expression of our coast. Not sea shells and star fish, but closer to an ambiance that projects the similar emotion to that first scent of salty sea air that wafts through the car as you approach the shore.
The Greater Boston area isn't typically renowned for having a robust coffee culture. But with places like Loyal Nine, Barismo and Thinking Cup popping up, is the city in the midst of a coffee renaissance?
DM: Greater Boston and the surrounding area truly do have a rich and robust coffee culture — it’s just not as modern nor sparked in the same way as, say, Seattle or San Francisco. Dunkin’ Donuts was founded here, after all! This strong base is quickly shifting to a higher quality, more responsibly sourced product, not just on the front of coffee consumption, but purchasing altogether.
Photography by Ben Brewster, Creative Director, The Cuff