Lilac Coffee, the lilac-purple drive-thru that popped up on Colfax in Park Hill, is making a play for the downtown office crowd with a new grab-and-go counter in Denver's Granite Tower. The shop is headed for the plaza level at 1099 18th St. and clocks in at roughly 450 square feet, according to a recent business-license filing. The permit pegs the opening for the next few weeks, and founder Josiah Kim says the new spot will pour the same specialty drinks that turned the original into a neighborhood staple.
What Now Denver first flagged the expansion, citing the business-license application that lists Lilac Coffee at the Granite Tower address along with its projected opening timeline. The outlet reports that the downtown counter is built around speed and convenience for office workers and is expected to debut within the next few weeks.
From Colfax Drive-Thru To Downtown
The Lilac story started in 2024 on East Colfax, where Kim took over a former Hot-Chick-A-Latte building and turned it into Lilac Coffee Express, a compact drive-thru wrapped in purple. Westword noted that the shop built buzz with seasonal specialty drinks such as a honey lilac latte and by pulling shots from beans roasted by Denver outfit Corvus.
Why Granite Tower Makes Sense
The Granite Tower at 1099 18th St. already hosts plaza-level food tenants, and property owners have floated plans to beef up its retail presence, which helps explain why a small coffee counter fits neatly into the mix. BusinessDen detailed proposals to add storefronts to the building's lobby, while commercial listings describe the property as a 31-story office tower with existing dining options. LoopNet also highlights the tower's plaza amenities, which set the stage for walk-up concepts like Lilac.
Menu, Format And What To Expect
Kim told What Now Denver that the downtown outpost will mirror the Colfax shop's approach, focusing on espresso drinks, cold brew, and a tight lineup of grab-and-go options, with food tweaked to hit the lunch rush. The goal, he said, is to keep the pace quick while holding onto the flavors regulars already know. "I get to serve more people, and have a chance at meeting more people... So I'm really excited for that next chapter," Kim said in the interview.
As downtown office towers rethink how to use their plaza and lobby spaces, Lilac's move fits into a broader wave of specialty cafes trying small-footprint counters to connect with workers on the go. Coverage of Granite Tower's retail plans by BusinessDen and reports on recent neighborhood openings show operators juggling craft sourcing with fast service in order to capture commuters and building tenants.
