Apparition takes over Waldo coffee space

By Kathy Feist

There was a rush of excitement six months ago as word got out that the former Second Best Coffee location in Waldo was to become a metal band-themed coffee shop. It was a new concept for a new crowd. And it didn’t hurt that long-time customers of Second Best Coffee also were excited the space would be revived.

On June 27th, Apparition Coffee held its official grand opening to a packed house. Gone was the bicycle racing theme so prevalent at Second Best. There was now new colorful artwork hanging on dark walls and a painted mural of a ghost, Apparition’s logo. Two speakers softly played heavy metal music. But beyond that, little has changed from the once popular coffee shop. 

“I didn’t really have to do that much. The place was already built out to serve the purpose of a coffee shop,” says owner Brian Denmer. “It was just a matter of some aesthetic changes like painting and getting new artwork up on the walls.”

Denmar, who has an extensive background in coffee retail, chose to bring back two of the baristas employed at Second Best. Jacob Kingsley and Savannah Sellers will continue to make the in-house burrito and pastry recipes sold at Second Best as well as create new coffee concoctions for Apparition. Some pastry items also come from local bakeries. 

Denmar, 39, grew up in Topeka a fan of metal music. He performed in a few bands while living in Lawrence. But he also loved the coffee culture. In 2016 he moved to Kansas City and worked at Black Dog Coffee in Lenexa before partnering on the ownership of a coffee house, Waterbird Coffee Company, located in downtown KC.  The roasterie closed in June. 

Like Waterbird, Denmar will continue to sell coffee beverages roasted locally at Repetition Coffee in Lawrence, Kansas, and Flowstate Roasterie in Kansas City. 

On the day after the opening, the customers continued to flow in. They came in all ages, gender, clothing combinations and origins. (One enthusiastic young woman wearing old-style cat glasses let me know she traveled from Bannister and Grandview Road to check out Apparition.) 

“The response has been huge,” says Denmer. “You can tell that everybody in the neighborhood wants a coffee shop here, which is really cool. But the theme of the shop seems to have attracted a lot of folks as well, which is also really cool. It’s great to see other people enjoy the things I really like.”

Apparition Coffee is located at 328 W. 85th St. Hours of operation are 7 am to 2 pm everyday but Sunday.