Metal music inspired coffee shop opening in Waldo

A new coffee shop inspired by metal music is opening in what was Second Best Coffee in Waldo.

“Second Best operated in the space for over a decade, so obviously there’s a void to fill in this neighborhood and I’m hoping to do that,” said Brian Denman, 39, owner of Apparition Coffee.

Second Best Coffee closed unexpectantly in November. Apparition Coffee, 328 W. 85th St., will sell coffee, teas, matcha and baked goods as well as burritos.

“I know (burritos) were a huge thing here when it was Second Best. I’ve already gotten Instagram messages about that already asking me if I was gonna serve burritos,” Denman said.

Apparition is currently under renovations, according to Denman. Because it was a coffee shop previously, the space was already set up for that purpose, so he is more focused on getting new equipment and furniture. The space will have metal art and will be monochromatic with a lot of darker colors.

“I grew up playing in metal bands and stuff, so I feel like that name kind of matches that vibe pretty well. That’s kind of the vibe I’m going for with the artwork that I’d like to put up in here as well and then as far as the product itself,” he said.

Originally from Topeka, Denman lived in Lawrence for 10 years before moving to Kansas City in 2016. He had grown up loving coffee, and moving here gave him the chance to learn.

“I applied to every coffee shop I could until one called me back then worked at three or four shops after that, and spent a lot of time working at Black Dog Coffee in Lenexa,” Denman said. “I was there for three and a half years. That’s where I got a majority of my experience in education, and that was the last shop I worked at before I opened my previous shop.”

He then was one of the owners of Waterbird Coffee Company for over three years, before stepping out to create his own.

“I’m mostly just excited to open a place entirely on my own and just get to know the people around here, people in the neighborhood, to build a connection with them,” he said. “Hopefully they’ll like what I’m offering in terms of coffee, and then the aesthetic of the shop as well.”

Apparition Coffee is expected to open this summer.