Downtown cafe from Chacónne and Peixoto to open this fall

A cafe that pairs a powerhouse coffee roaster with an acclaimed baker is nearly ready to open its doors in downtown Phoenix.

CP Coffee and Pâtisserie, a team-up of the East Valley’s Peixoto Coffee Roasters and Scottsdale’s Chacónne Patisserie, is set to open on the southeast corner of Fourth and Garfield streets on Sept. 25.

“I walked in today and everything’s looking a little more finalized, a little more polished, and just a great venue to really put this stuff out there,” Chacónne Patisserie owner Mark Chacón says while sitting in the lobby of the Wexford Science + Technology building.

Chacón honed his patisserie and viennoiserie skills in the Bay Area, and brought his talents back to Phoenix, where he's crafted desserts for local restaurants and sold pastries at farmers markets since 2021.

Chacónne Patisserie has gained a fervent local following and accolades. In 2022, the baker was a James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef and was named the Valley's Best Pastry Chef by Phoenix New Times in 2022 and 2023.

Down the hall from the Wexford lobby, customers will find a space with two curved counters – one serving Chacónne’s pastries, sourdough breads, cakes and a selection of salads and sandwiches. The other will offer coffees and espressos from Peixoto Coffee Roasters.

A pioneer in specialty coffee in the Valley, Julia Peixoto Peters is a fourth-generation coffee farmer. She and her husband, Jeff Peters, own coffee shops in Chandler and Gilbert, which serve drinks made with beans from her family farm in Brazil. Those cafes have served Chacón’s award-winning pastries since 2022.

This new downtown cafe, which the duo announced in April, takes that partnership a step further.

Although construction is still underway, the space has taken shape. Large walls of glass windows invite natural light and soar upward, highlighting vaulted ceilings and circular lighting. Natural touches of wood cabinetry and earthy green and terra cotta subway tiles add warmth to the cafe. Furniture will arrive soon to fill spots inside the cafe with tables and bar stools.

Peixoto’s coffee bar will feature a tap wall pouring cold brews, tonic water and iced teas, as well as stations for making espresso drinks and pour-over coffees.

“We’ll be able to give a taste, in its purest form, of all the beautiful, specialty, great coffees we bring in,” Peixoto Peters says.

Peixoto Peters and Chacón have been testing recipes for a latte using Peixoto espresso and syrup made by Chacónne.

“Seasonally, you can expect us to be working together as partners to really provide some great combo efforts, primarily through their lattes,” Chacón says.

Behind the Chacónne counter, ovens, a proofing cabinet, mixers and other shiny stainless equipment sits neatly arranged. The owner says guests can expect a round-the-clock baking operation to keep the cases full.

“It’s going to be constant, and it’ll really be something to see,” Chacón says.

The patisserie will serve items familiar to its fans – croissants, danishes, sourdough breads, slices of cake – “but there’s going to be a lot more space for exploring new options,” Chacón says. That means more seasonal and savory bakes. Whole cakes, tarts and entremets will be available. And, with the addition of a fryer, Chacónne will add doughnuts to its roster of sweet treats.

Although the doughnut menu is still in the works, “they won’t be super fussy,” Chacón says. For him, that means a perfect glazed doughnut made from a rich brioche dough or filled with locally sourced jams and housemade custards.

Nick Beitcher, an alumnus of San Francisco’s Tartine Bakery who is crafting breads for Chacónne, is developing the cafe’s food menu. While still being finalized, that will include toasts, breakfast sandwiches and grab-and-go lunch salads and snacks. And, those options will grow as the cafe gets up and running, Chacón says.

During its opening weekend in September, the cafe will have limited hours, from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Chacón says. The hours will then expand to 6 p.m. starting on Sept. 29.

He and Peixoto Peters know there’s anticipation surrounding the opening.

“We have a lot of people who have been clamoring for us to come to downtown Phoenix for several years, so it’s nice to be able to finally put our flag here,” Peixoto Peters says.

Perhaps feeling the anticipation, too, she adds, “We’re ready for downtown Phoenix.”

CP Coffee and Pâtisserie

Opens Sept. 25
850 N. Fifth St.