The literary-themed Novel Coffee, Tea and Toast is ready for its next chapter.

The shop that got its start in the Richland Public Library and now operates out of the Park View Plaza building off George Washington Way is moving into a bigger space down the street.

Owners Oscar and Lonnie Suarez also plan to open a second location in Pasco in the early part of next year, and eventually they want to open a Kennewick shop as well.

“As a coffee shop, if you want to build a brand you have to be in all three cities,” Oscar Suarez said.

For now, they’re focusing on moving to the former Quiznos building at 950 George Washington Way, near the Richland Fire Department station at Swift Boulevard.

They hope to be in the new location for a soft opening the first week of November, Suarez said.

However, they don’t plan to close the current spot at 710 George Washington Way, Suite B-B right away, if at all. They may explore being open later hours there and offering beer and wine.

Suarez said the current Richland location – which is at Howard Amon Park, in a building with a few other businesses – has been a good spot, where they’ve be able to build up a devoted following. But they need a bigger kitchen, more visibility and more parking availability.

The new space is about 1,800 square feet, and the Suarezes are doing much of the work to transform it into a coffee shop themselves.

“We’re not trying to spend more than $50,000,” Oscar Suarez said.

Novel moved into its current Richland spot in fall 2020 and has been a hit, with fans across the Tri-Cities. It serves specialty coffees, such as the Blank Page, Typewriter and Author, plus boba tea and various food items, including its popular avocado toast. The decor also stands out, with book pages on the walls and comfy sofas and chairs making it a cozy spot to spend time.

Suarez said the new Richland shop and the Pasco shop will have the same look. It is scheduled to be in the HUB International building at 2713 W. 20th Ave., near Columbia Basin College.

Suarez said he and his wife are grateful for the community’s support and they’re looking forward to Novel’s new additions.

“We’re just thankful the Tri-Cities has embraced us as a brand and a coffee shop. We’re excited for the future of how we can continue to bring the best coffee and boba in the Tri Cities to all our residents,” he said. “We know that if we don’t grow, what are we doing?”

Go to: novelcoffee.co.