A new coffee shop named for a Mooreland farmer is set to open this fall just steps from Oklahoma City's Plaza District, bringing espresso, scratch-made pastries and a French sensibility to the corner of NW 16th Street and North Blackwelder Avenue. Arnold's Cafe, planned for 1625 NW 16th St., Suite B, is the work of husband-and-wife owners Caleb and Bekah Spann, who describe it as a locally owned, French-inspired coffee shop meant to double as a neighborhood gathering spot.
According to The Journal Record, the Spanns are natives of Enid, Oklahoma, who now live in the Gatewood neighborhood. The cafe's name is a tribute to Caleb Spann's late grandfather, a farmer from Mooreland in northwestern Oklahoma. Caleb Spann said he wants Arnold's Cafe to continue his grandfather's legacy of serving others, per the same report.
A LinkedIn job posting seeking baristas for the new shop said the owners plan to open early fall in the Plaza District, and that Arnold's Cafe will be serving espresso-based drinks, teas and some house-made baked goods. The listing, found on LinkedIn, described the roles as primarily part-time, with opportunities to move toward full-time work in the future. It also noted that no experience is required, just come with an attitude willing and ready to learn and we'll be happy to train you.
What's on the Menu
Arnold's Cafe plans to serve Plaid Rooster coffee, including espresso made with the roaster's Highlander Roast, alongside scratch-made baked goods such as madeleines and clementine cake. The menu and furnishings are meant to carry a personal touch: Bekah Spann said the cafe's furniture and menu should feel unique, authentic and full of heart, the Journal Record reported. Bekah Spann brings a background in construction management and design to the project, while Caleb Spann has experience in specialty coffee and pastry.
The couple built out the space themselves, developing the cafe through hands-on work in less than six months, according to the outlet's reporting. The interior will include art and found objects, and the shop is planned to have a patio as part of its role as a gathering place for the neighborhood.
Hours and Location Near the Plaza District
Arnold's Cafe is planned to be open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, with the shop closed Sunday. The address, 1625 NW 16th St., Suite B, sits near the corner of NW 16th Street and North Blackwelder Avenue, putting it within walking distance of the Plaza District's shops and restaurants.
On its LinkedIn hiring page, Arnold's Cafe described its guiding philosophy as an effort to genuinely see people and create a welcoming community by serving quality coffee and caring deeply about every customer interacted with. The listing added that the shop's two focuses are people and coffee, in that order. More details on the opening are expected to be shared through the cafe's Instagram account, @arnoldscafeokc, and its website, arnoldscafe.com.
