Espresso, please
“What if I can do espresso martinis?” thought Linda Donovan while she was envisioning her new wine bar. The interior was designed, exterior planned, new L. Donovan District Wine in bottle, building materials sourced, and timeline moving forward. There were some hitches like supply chain issues, availability of contractors, finding the right people to work alongside and produce her vision, but ultimately it just provided additional time to think it through. And that’s when ‘espresso’ became the liaison word from ‘wine bar’ to ‘specialty cocktails.’ 🍸
So, she went online and purchased a charming, and beautiful espresso machine.
The Espresso Story
The history of the espresso machine in question is a fascinating journey that begins in the bustling environment of a Dunkin Donuts shop. This particular machine, once a cornerstone of the coffee-making process in the store, was witness to countless early mornings, busy afternoons, and the comings and goings of customers who relied on it for their daily caffeine fix.
As a central fixture in the daily operation of Dunkin, the espresso machine bore witness to the camaraderie among the staff and the familiar faces of regular patrons. Its stainless steel exterior showed the signs of its hard work, displaying the occasional scuff and scratch from years of faithful service.
After handily serving the Dunkin establishment for many years, the espresso machine was replaced with a newer model, and its future became uncertain. It was then put up for sale at an online marketplace, where it caught the eye of an enthusiastic coffee aficionado who couldn't resist the allure of owning a piece of history from a beloved coffee shop.
The machine, once celebrated for its reliability and high-quality espresso, was now on its way to a new home, where it was eagerly anticipated. However, upon the arrival of the electrician to set it up, the shocking discovery was made – all the interior wires, 96 to be exact, had been deliberately severed, rendering the machine inoperable.
This revelation sparked a mystery that led to questions about the machine's past. Who could have intentionally sabotaged a beloved piece of coffee-making history? Was it an act of revenge, a misguided attempt at sabotage, or perhaps a result of negligence?
As the story unfolded, the history of Dunkin 🍩 espresso machine became a tale of mystery, nostalgia, and unexpected twists. It serves as a poignant reminder of the emotional connections we form with objects and the powerful role they can play in our lives.
And not to disappoint you, another machine was found, so the bar will still be offering espresso and martinis,
The District Wine Bar
Although not yet officially open, and not yet serving cocktails, private events have already been happening in the new space and, by all accounts, people love it. The most common comment is “Medford needs a place like this. We’re in need of a higher-end and quality experience, where you can dress up a little, but still be comfortable with casual,” Nicky…says.
Filled with natural light and marble throughout, the bar features large garage doors opening up to a grassy area, and view of the vibrant wine mural. Loungy seating inside, and delightful umbrella tables on the patio next to the railroad tracks offer choice seating with all of it embodying the outdoors. The urban space is softened with seating by the bioswale, plants in big pots, and room to roam. Nicky, the tasting room manager, says, “We’re keeping it industrial down here.” Industrial, yes, with a keen metropolitan twist.
Along with cocktails, wine, and espresso, Donovan says, “The bar will feature really nice salads, and a few finely, elevated dishes.”
Downtown is about to get the urban bar it’s been waiting for. The District Wine Bar which is part of the whole block that is City Center Wine District, is part past, part current, and part future. Watch for more information on opening dates coming soon.
We can’t wait to serve you the best Espresso Martini in the valley, and tell you the rest of the story.