Louisville’s Quills Coffee Heading North to Indianapolis

Quills Coffee, which in seven years has helped define craft coffee in the Louisville area through its roastery and three cafes, is making the two-hour trip north on I-65 to Indianapolis.

The company, founded by brothers Nathan and Gabe Quillo, Thursday announced plans to open a shop in November at the new 9 on Canal building, a mixed commercial and residential high-rise development in the historic Canal District. The property is owned by Investment Property Advisors, with which Quills already has a relationship at its University of Louisville location.

(related: Kaffeine Coffee and Some Big Revitalization in Downtown Indianapolis)

If nothing else, the expansion will provide a good excuse for Nathan Quillo to split town for Indianapolis Colts games. From Quills:

Expanding to a new city is a big and, frankly, scary step for our company- but one that we’re excited to make. Indianapolis’s culinary scene is experiencing burgeoning growth that is attracting national attention. Our experience opening our New Albany café and roastery has taught us that Hoosiers have an eager appetite for specialty coffee, and we’re excited to contribute to Indy’s growing coffee community. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that our founder Nathan Quillo is a diehard Colts fan.

Rendering of the 9 on Canal building courtesy of Quills Coffee.

(related: Inside Louisville’s Newest Coffee Destination: Gralehaus)

Quills says the new bar’s design will borrow some elements from each of its three existing locations, and it will be the first to offer single-origin espressos, a plan that will later be introduced to Louisville:

Like our Baxter Avenue café, the shop is going to feature a designated brew bar and a three grouphead La Marzocco Linea espresso machine. Like our New Albany and Cardinal Towne locations, there will be bar seating for inquisitive types who want to know a little more about their coffee. Perhaps most exciting for hardcore coffee nerds, the Indianapolis story will be our first location to feature a single origin espresso option.