

Handsome Coffee, the downtown L.A. coffee roaster headed by Michael Phillips, Tyler Wells and Chris Owens, announces plans to open its flagship coffee bar in February. The three are converting an Arts District warehouse that once housed a print shop into a roastery and coffee bar serving a streamlined menu of espresso and brewed coffee along with pastries from Proof Bakery of Atwater Village.

The space was designed by architect Kari Richardson of Venice and WoodSmithe of Los Angeles, featuring maple cabinetry, subway and laser-etched wood tiles, and copper accents. There will be individual seating and a community table.

The coffee bar will be partitioned by glass walls to reveal the roastery and wholesale business. "It was always my plan to have the roasting a show piece. Handsome is all about removing barriers between us and the customer,” said Handsome’s master roaster Owens in a release. “We want to invite them in … to see our process, our craft…. This is our Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory."

Handsome Coffee’s expected hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

582 Mateo Ave., Los Angeles, www.handsomecoffee.com.

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Photo: The "before" at Handsome Coffee's warehouse; see updates at twitter.com/handsomeroaster. Credit: handsomecoffee.com.