Carasim Coffee Shop is far more than just Coffee. While it’s true they do serve coffee, espresso, chai, fine teas, Italian sodas and real fruit smoothies, there is a lot more going on in Frank Nicolin’s former Opera House.

Dining at the vintage bar or booths not only includes a great nostalgic atmosphere, there is also great home cooking.

From simple breakfast items, to soup, salad and sandwiches, the menu changes to include freshly made daily specials. They were serving a Roasted Red Pepper Tomato soup the day I took these photos.

One of our favorites is the pizza. It’s become a tradition whenever we have family staying with us from out of town. The crust is thin, the way I like it, made to order. And at $9.95 for a large, two-topping pizza, it’s a great value as well. But the ice cream counter and the Themed Elegance chocolate shots are the hands down favorite for the Knox boys!

Like I said, there’s more than just coffee, and dining. Carasim is located right next door to the Nicolin Mansion, and through the Mertz era, the two properties were jointly owned. The historic building, built in 1876, has housed Nicolin’s Opera House, Mammoth Store, and a favorite the locals still talk about, Geno’s Tap. A walk through to just admire the interior is well worth a stop. Besides the classic wooden bar and booths, there’s a beautiful hand painted mural of historic downtown Jordan.

It’s doesn’t stop there. The shop is stocked full of antiques for sale. From antique depression glass to furniture, it’s my first stop whenever I’m looking for something to add to the bed and breakfast. And I’ve bought several items. They also sell great historic photos of Jordan, including one of the U.S. 4th Calvary en route to Fort Snelling in front of both Carasim and the Nicolin Mansion in 1908.

Carasim also hosts a thrift shop with great clothing buys supporting Broken Pottery Outreach, as well as the Geneva’s Daughter Ocassional Sale. The upper room where the Opera stage still stands, is host to a variety of special events. And the back room hosts entertainment events, such as junk swap, Thrift Shop fashion show, and live music. Watch the Jordan Events Calendar for upcoming events. The building was known as the HUB in it’s day, and with all that’s still going on, the name is appropriate.

Carasim Coffee Shop
231 Broadway Street South
Jordan, Minnesota 55352
952-492-5553
Hours:
10:00-5:00 Wednesday-Thursday
10:00-9:00 Friday
8:00-5:00 Saturday-Sunday