Beloved Uptown cafe Wesley Andrews shut its doors on December 31, 2025, marking the end of a decade-long venture centered on conversation and quality coffee. Co-owners Jared Thompson and Johan Podlewski made the strategic decision to close, reflecting on their achievements amid rising costs. The cafe's final Latte Art Throwdown highlighted the community bonds it fostered over the years.
Wesley Andrews opened in November 2016 in the Uptown area of the Twin Cities, founded by Jared Thompson and Johan Podlewski, who were 18-year-olds inspired by their experiences at Teavana. The duo focused on creating a space where coffee and tea served as complements to social interaction, drawing from their realization that such beverages act as "social lubricants" for meaningful conversations, as Thompson described.
Early on, Thompson and Podlewski partnered with local suppliers like Verdant Tea for direct trade practices and Mill City Coffee Roasters. They learned roasting techniques from owner Steve Green and spent a year developing their own blend, which they sold at farmers' markets and pop-up events before securing a permanent location. The cafe's name combined their middle names, replacing an initial idea of "Conversation Compliments."
For nearly a decade, the cafe hosted events like the annual Latte Art Throwdown, which began at its grand opening and continued as a highlight. The final event in 2025 featured 16 participants, DJ Buster Baxter's set, and emcee Josiah—Thompson's brother—who emphasized celebrating the community: "We wanted to lean on the party aspect of it and still do a throwdown, but have that be more at the beginning, and then really just revel in the joy and the celebration of [WA] and all the people there."
Challenges included financial struggles and pivots in business model, with Thompson noting, "It’s been such a struggle the whole time; we’ve been through a lot of hard times over the years." Rising costs ultimately led to the closure. Looking ahead, Thompson highlighted insights into the coffee supply chain: "There’s been a lot of learning about the coffee supply chain over the years that has been really eye-opening for me, and I think we’re doing the best we can right now. This whole system needs to change."
The co-owners expressed pride in their venture, with Thompson stating, "I think we’ve done a really good art project. We’re really proud of what we’ve both done." Wesley Andrews will contribute to Bichota Coffee, a roastery in George Floyd Square co-owned by the team, emphasizing roles of Black and Brown people in the coffee industry.
