Wake Cafe

The Wake Cafe is situated in a mixed-use building, which presented some unique challenges. One of the biggest was the need to install a 4-story grease duct system to vent the commercial kitchen. Cypress had to carefully coordinate with the apartment units above, cutting openings in the walls to route the duct up through the existing shaft. They then had to precisely line up and cut a hole in the roof to install the grease hood. This complex mechanical work was completed successfully without any major issues.

Beyond the grease duct, Cypress was responsible for all the other core construction elements – framing, drywall, electrical, plumbing, and painting. The owner then came in and handled the interior finishes, millwork, and decor to complete the cafe’s look and feel.

The project was approximately 2,000 square feet and took around 2 months from start to finish. Cypress was able to complete the work on time and within the agreed upon budget.

The cafe owner, an experienced restaurateur, was very pleased with Cypress’ work. She noted that they were the first contractors she had worked with who didn’t try to “mansplain” things to her. Cypress took a collaborative approach, respecting the owner’s expertise while also providing their own construction knowledge. This helped the project run smoothly, with good communication and trust between all parties.

Overall, the Wake Cafe project showcases Cypress’ ability to efficiently deliver a full commercial buildout, even with unique challenges like the multi-story grease duct. Their focus on upfront planning, transparent communication, and flexible problem-solving allowed them to successfully complete this project for a satisfied client.