Slow by Slow is a coffee bar in Boise, Idaho, built around a manual brew bar and a Modbar setup, inviting people to take their time with their morning coffee break. For the coffee bar’s 10th anniversary, they remodeled the space to make it even more inviting to guests stopping by to enjoy their coffee. We recently spoke with owner Ian Fadness about the layout and goals of the recently redesigned space.
What is the philosophy behind Slow x Slow?
Slow by Slow is built on one idea: reward curiosity. We want the person who leans in and asks a question to get something back for it. For our tenth anniversary, we rebuilt the shop inside a historic brick building in Boise, and every decision in the room points to the coffee itself.
How does that differ from your sister coffee bar, Fast x Slow?
Not everyone wants to slow down and think deeply about their coffee or bask in an experience. That’s Slow by Slow. Fast by Slow was designed to better serve another audience: people who have important things going on outside of our cafe. It enables us to give both unique audiences what they need, without compromise.
Why did you settle on Modbar for Slow x Slow?
We designed the bar to make the machinery disappear. Modbar’s espresso system and water tap let us put the equipment beneath the counter and keep the surface clean. Along with embedded scales and a hidden grinder, the taps read as part of one calm surface instead of a wall of hardware. The “why” is not just aesthetic – but built around a priority of maintaining connection with our guests and focusing on the right things.
How does Modbar help you achieve your service goals at Slow x Slow?
With nothing standing between the barista and the guest, what people see is the person and the process. Guests can watch their coffee get made from start to finish, and that is what invites the questions and conversations we are after. Modbar is the quiet backbone of that.
How important is the design of the Slow x Slow café for your service goals?
It’s huge. The brew bar sits at the rear center of the room, carved from walnut burl and shaped like our logo mark, so the line winds through the whole space to reach it. Context changes reception – and we put a lot of energy into shaping the scenery, the feel, the service…so that your coffee becomes product + experience. We kept the brick shell exposed and added hand-poured concrete, brass, and locally made ceramics, almost all of it fabricated here in town. It is a space people have to feel to understand.
What’s your favorite seasonal espresso special right now on the Slow x Slow menu?
My favorite seasonal espresso special right now is probably the Butternut Spice Latte. It is not our most creative drink, but it is the only seasonal drink we’ve offered every year for ten years. It hits all of the right notes at this time of year, while still maintaining some uniqueness. It is butternut squash, and a symphony of fall spices. Extremely simple, warming, and delicious.
What’s next for Slow x Slow?
We are currently focused on improving how we operate as a business. We have been in a major season of growth and transition for the better part of two years so we are just catching our breath. We have some fun potential opportunities, but for now our focus is on preparing for the next phase of growth so that when the time is right, we can grow well and grow sustainably.
Slow by Slow is located in Boise, Idaho. Visit their official website and follow them on Instagram for more information.
