Great State Coffee is bringing new life to a popular downtown Chico location, transforming a former Starbucks into a locally owned café led by Alec Binyon and Jasmine James.

With a focus on quality, community and creativity, the duo is transforming a recognizable Chico storefront into something new.

For Binyon, opening Great State Coffee is a continuation of his career and a fresh start.

“It’s been in the works for about two months,” he said. “But I’ve been doing this for a long time.”

Binyon’s experience spans decades. From co-founding the Naked Lounge in 2001 to opening Empire Coffee in 2007. He roasts his own beans under the name Great State, where he has built a reputation in Chico’s coffee scene. 

Now, he’s bringing that experience back to the local business community. 

“People who were around then are stoked, ‘Oh man, he’s back–hell yeah,’” Binyon said.

The choice of location was intentional. The building had been home to Starbucks for nearly 30 years, creating what Binyon describes as a “built-in demand.”

“There’s a lot of coffee gravity that still exists there,” he said. “There’s a real demand for that space to be serving coffee.”

Beyond the business opportunity, the shift from corporate to local is deeply meaningful to Binyon.

“I’m really excited to localize a space that was occupied by a corporate giant for 30 years,” Binyon said. “Turning it back into a local space might be one of the biggest honors of my career.”

Great State Coffee aims to break away from modern café trends that prioritize minimalism over comfort.

“It’s not going to look like a coffee lab,” Binyon said. “Everything’s white, white tile–that’s not what we’re doing. It’s going to be a nod to the historic nature of the building, with a lot of heart and really comfortable places to sit.” 

Instead, the goal is simple: create a space where people want to stay.

“Comfortable. Fun. A place where you’d feel good studying or hanging out with friends,” he said.

James echoed that vision, emphasizing warmth and intentional design.

For James, much of her role happens behind the scenes, handling logistics like insurance, paperwork and business organization, but she’s equally involved in shaping the customer experience.

“We think about how a guest moves through the space,” she explained. “From the front door to the counter to where they sit; how are they naturally guided?”

That intentional design is meant to create an immediate emotional response.

“We want people to feel like somebody is happy to see them,” James said. “Like they’re invited, that they could stay all day if they wanted to.”

While the atmosphere plays a major role, Binyon is equally focused on what’s on the menu.

“We’ll have the most interesting specialty coffee menu in the area,” he said. “I’m putting things on there from other cultures, things other coffee houses don’t think to do.”

The café will also roast its own coffee in-house, giving Binyon more flexibility in pricing and helping keep both the coffee and food prices student-friendly. 

“The coffee prices are going to be really fair,” he said. “I plan on bringing prices down in the marketplace for food and drinks, but it’ll still be the best stuff.”

On the food side, the approach is high-quality but accessible.

“I’m motivated to give you the most insane breakfast sandwich you’ve ever had,” Binyon said. “And it’s not going to be a $14 breakfast sandwich with no meat on it. I’m not doing that. I’m gonna feed the people.”

The menu will include gluten-free and vegan options, but Binyon emphasizes that the focus remains broader.

“The lunch menu is going to be kind of bomb,” he said. “People are going to be really stoked.”

More than anything, both owners intend that service will define the café.

“You’re going to be talked to right away,” he said. “If there’s a line, you’ll still feel acknowledged. Nobody’s going to be snobby or rude.”

James added that this sense of belonging is central to their mission.

“We don’t want people to feel like a burden,” she said. “We want them to feel like we really, really want them to be there.”

Plans include a stage for live performances, open mic nights and rotating art displays. “Things the community can participate in,” James said.

Still, both owners emphasize flexibility.

In a college town like Chico, students are a key part of the equation. Binyon plans to meet their needs through affordability and functionality.

“There will be outlets everywhere,” he said. “And we’ll be open late-night hours.”

Combined with fair pricing and a welcoming environment, the goal is to create a space where students can study, socialize and return regularly.

As opening day approaches, both Binyon and James are focused on building something lasting, but they’re taking it one step at a time.

“We have no idea what the future holds,” James said. “We’re just focusing on this one location for now.”

For Binyon, success goes beyond business metrics. “It’s about becoming part of people’s routines,” he said.

As Great State Coffee prepares to open in mid-August, 2026  at 246 Broadway St. in downtown Chico, it enters a competitive yet opportunity-filled landscape, where local identity, quality offerings and a strong sense of place can make all the difference.

In a city that thrives on community, the question isn’t just whether a new coffee shop can succeed but whether it can become part of the fabric of everyday life.

To stay updated on all things Great State Coffee, including a more exact opening date, follow their Instagram. 

Merri Shiger and Arlette Valdivia can be reached at [email protected]