New cafe offers European-style coffee experience

MARQUETTE — A new European-style coffee shop is now open for business on Third Street in Marquette.

Cafe Allenatore is owned by Power Soccer Academy Coach Sasa Kostic and his wife. “Allenatore” is actually Italian for “coach,” and Kostic said the model for his coffee shop is inspired by an experience he had while coaching in Brazil.

“Every single morning before class started, I went to the same coffee shop. The first morning, the owner came and introduced himself and then we just chatted about everything. The second morning, I came back and the third morning, I was so surprised because the coffee was on the table for me. I didn’t even tell him that I was going to come back,” said Kostic. “He said ‘Coach, this is for you.'”

Cafe Allenatore is designed so people can enjoy their coffee and socialize with one another.

“We want people to come and socialize and meet each other face to face instead of going to the Facebook page or the text messages,” said Kostic.

In fact, Kostic can often be found socializing with his customers and enjoying Allenatore’s coffee right alongside them. The decor only contributes to the comfortable atmosphere that Allenatore strives for: the lighting is dim, the seating is cozy and the walls are decorated with cultural icons from to James Dean and Marilyn Monroe to the casts of The Golden Girls and Friends.

As for the coffee, Allenatore offers a vast selection, including European and organic blends to dessert coffees and decaf drinks. Kostic provides the European coffee not only because of the taste, but because people overseas enjoy their coffee a bit differently than Americans. Instead of drive-thrus and to-go cups, Europeans prefer to sit down with their coffees.

“I like to consider my life, maybe 20 minutes, and talk to my friends,” he said. “I tell the people ‘If you don’t have 20 minutes for coffee, you don’t have the time for your life.'”

Since coffee provides a different experience for everyone, Kostic said the only way for you to know if you like Cafe Allenatore, or any other coffee shop in the area, is to try them for yourself.

Cafe Allenatore is located on Third Street in the former Strictly Business Uniforms store. The coffee shop is open 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday.