While drive-thru coffee kiosks have proliferated around town over the seven years Arrowroot Coffee Co. has been in business, owner Jacob Dinardo said his focus is on building community rather than a grab-and-go culture.
Along those lines, he has spent more than a year extensively renovating the former Recycled Records building at 625 E. Adams St. in downtown Springfield. It will be the company’s first brick-and-mortar location, although Arrowroot Coffee has already established a strong presence in the community between its regular presence at the Old Capitol Farmers Market and a mobile coffee trailer used for events.
“We’ll have lots of room and tables for people to sit and hang out or have a business meeting or work remotely,” Dinardo said. “It’s a space designed for people to come and sit for a while. And we’ll still be down at the farmers market and do some occasional events.”
Dinardo purchased the building from the Kessler family, who had owned it since 1910. Brothers Mark and Gary Kessler operated Recycled Records for decades, but after Mark Kessler died in 2022 Gary Kessler closed the store a year later.
Dinardo was one of three recipients who were awarded $20,000 each as part of the 2024 Isringhausen DRIVE grant, a program designed to support local entrepreneurs in establishing their businesses within downtown Springfield.
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Coffee shop planned for former Recycled Records building
Arrowroot Coffee roasts small batch coffee and wholesales it to grocery stores and other area businesses. The roastery was previously located on North Walnut Street and Dinardo said that will now occupy the back half of the downtown building, while the retail coffee shop will be in the front portion. He said he plans to tackle the upper story renovations down the road.
After passing his final city inspections last week. Dinardo said a grand opening is planned for Saturday, Jan. 31.
“We have six staff members hired and we’re doing some training,” he said. “Things always take a little bit more time than you think, but I’m really happy with how the space turned out. It’s been a long time coming, and I’m excited to share it with Springfield.”
Arrowroot Coffee will be open from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday.
This article appears in February SBJ 2026.