Cafe Wednesday: Old Louisville Coffee Co-Op

Words by Joanna Lee and Loren Williamson

October 22, 2025

A slight breeze rustled against the trees, scattering amber and bronze leaves across the sidewalk. As we walked along the pavement, a red-brick building with black windows stood out, its black metal gates welcoming us in. The moment we stepped inside, the comforting ambiance felt like the perfect addition to the fall weather.

Underground Entrance: The main entrance of Old Louisville Coffee Co-Op cafe stands firmly in Old Louisville on Oct. 20, welcoming the public in. Photo by Loren Williamson.

Located on Ormsby Ave., Old Louisville Coffee Co-op is a queer and Black-owned cafe dedicated to providing a strong sense of community, great food and delicious coffee. Fellow staffer Loren Williamson and I visited the coffee shop to try a good after-school pick-me-up fit for the autumn atmosphere.

The cafe holds multiple seating areas, perfect for studying or chatting with friends. Various board games stacked high against the wall, waiting to be played. After finding our seats, Loren and I went to the counter to order.

Order Up!: Showcasing the diverse options, the coffee and drink menu hangs on the wall of the Old Louisville Coffee Co-Op cafe on Oct. 20. Photo by Loren Williamson.

The menu was extensive, with diverse options for coffee, espresso-based drinks and tea. I struggled to decide what I wanted to order, but I ultimately chose an iced latte with honey and cinnamon ($5.75) and a turkey and cheddar panini ($7). Loren opted for a large iced strawberry and vanilla matcha ($7).

Crafted with Care: Brewing a specialty coffee, a worker of Old Louisville Coffee Co-Op cafe makes a customer’s order on Oct. 20. Photo by Loren Williamson.

After a few minutes, we received our order. The iced latte had a subtle sweetness under the rich coffee flavor. As an avid coffee drinker, I loved its strong flavor. The panini was toasted to perfection with golden brown edges, giving each bite a nice crunch. The inside became warm and gooey as the melted cheese and turkey blended together.

Loren’s matcha had a creamy base with a sweet hint from the vanilla. It had a pleasant strawberry flavor that emerged after each sip. Typically, matchas are hard to get right, but this one was perfect.

The Order Has Arrived: Patiently waiting to be eaten and sipped, a matcha, coffee, and a turkey panini sit on one of the tables inside the Old Louisville Coffee Co-Op cafe on Oct. 20. Photo by Loren Williamson.

After our enjoyable experience, I am excited to visit again for a good snack and drink.

HOURS:

Monday-Friday 8AM-6PM

Saturday-Sunday 8AM-4PM

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About the Contributors

Joanna Lee, Assignment Editor, Writer

Joanna Lee is a senior assignment editor and writer for On The Record. This is her third year on staff and she is passionate about capturing influential stories! Aside from On The Record, Joanna is involved in numerous clubs and organizations in her community. She also enjoys taking photos on her digital camera, listening to music, and going thrifting with her friends.

Loren Williamson, Photographer

Loren Williamson is a senior photographer for On The Record. With it being her second year on staff, she is excited to continue exploring different issues about Louisville through the lens of her camera. She enjoys camping, hiking, and traveling, while also spending most of her time in archery and swim instructing at the JCC.