Family-friendly coffee bar Dear Austin takes over former Irie Bean space on South Lamar

Family-friendly mom-and-pop coffee shop Dear Austin opened in May at 2310 S. Lamar Blvd. in the space that was the longtime home of Irie Bean.

Dear Austin is the first coffee shop from owners Joey and Lupita Adams. The married couple owns the Purr-fecto Cat Lounge located in the shopping strip directly behind the coffee shop, and had sourced their coffee service from Irie Bean during the first two years of the cat rescue and adoption lounge.

When the couple discovered the Irie Bean had closed suddenly after 17 years in business, they reached out to the landlord about taking over the space. The newly painted space is awash in aqua blue and white, evoking beach vibes. Lupita, who moved to Austin about 20 years ago, is originally from Acapulco. She owns the green cleaning service Enviromaids and Joey works in the real estate business.

The couple have envisioned both Purr-fecto and Dear Austin as ways of giving back to the community they love. That love is expressed in the name, which is meant as the start of a love letter to Austin. The theme is repeated inside the bright coffee shop, which features a wall of cards from guests with handwritten love notes to Austin.

"This is our love letter to you: whether you're born here, move here, or just passing through, we all share one thing in common—we cherish you dearly," Dear Austin states on its website.

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That welcoming message is even expressed on the bathroom doors, which are cheekily labeled separately with "Born & Raised" and "Transplant." In addition to traditional coffee drinks, Dear Austin serves boba tea, beer and wine, froze, tacos from The Vegan Nom and pastries from Mr. Natural. The food offerings are meant to celebrate and support local businesses, according to Joey.

As with Irie Bean, there is a bar located in the back courtyard, with a handful of taps — including the McConauHaze IPA from Twisted X Brewing near Dripping Springs — and a froze machine. The courtyard has been spruced up to include family-friendly features such as a large sandbox full of toys and a chalkboard.

The Adams are also activating the outdoor space with a local vendors market on the last Sunday of every month and an open mic night on the last Thursday of each month.

Dear Austin is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday and until 9 p.m. Friday-Sunday.