Welcome Home – Flagstaff Business News
For more than four decades, Macy's Coffeehouse has maintained its cozy hangout atmosphere.
For 46 years, Macy's European Coffeehouse & Bakery has stood as a beloved fixture on Flagstaff's Southside, greeting locals and visitors alike with its familiar green-and-red facade, rich coffee aromas and a sense of welcome that feels increasingly rare. From morning cappuccinos and delicious-sweet sandwiches to hearty lunches and dinners, the cafe has long served as a gathering place rooted in connection.
Owner Tim Macy says the coffeehouse's continued appeal is on target.
Created in the Spirit of Unity
Macy moved from Southern California to Flagstaff in 1979 after a stop in the city while touring as a professional golfer. “I thought, 'Wow, this is a cool city — really nice,'” he recalled. He opened Macy's on February 1, 1980 in the former Middle Earth Bakery space on South Beaver Street, and later purchased the building in 2011.
The cafe was shaped by Macy's devotion to the Baha'i faith, founded in 19th-century Iran by Baha'u'llah and centered on the unity of humanity. “I had a mission to open a place that would be a microcosm where we are all one,” Macy said. “Everyone is welcome in the spirit of unity and diversity.”
Top Achievements and Core Values
Longevity and associated top Macy's list of achievements. “We're still here, that's nice,” he said. “The most important thing is that we made a family here.”
That feeling of family extends to employees and customers. Visitors who return years later often tell him, “It was my favorite place,” a feeling Macy says never gets old.
“Family. Unity. Everyone is welcome,” he added. “Everyone who comes in is treated with respect, no matter who they are.”
Shifts, challenges and stewardship
Rising costs, Flagstaff's high cost of living and rapid growth are ongoing concerns. “Prices just keep going up,” Macy said, noting that younger workers are having a hard time finding affordable housing. “My big concern is to take care of the people who work here.”
Despite pressure to expand, Macy's chose not to franchise. “I just wanted to keep the spirit of this place the way we always wanted it,” he said. Staying engaged while staying true to that mission remains the biggest challenge.
Looking forward
As Macy's marks more than four decades, Macy's hopes that its core values will remain. “If all we cared about was money and treated people with no respect, we wouldn't be in business anymore,” he said.
For now, the grand dame of the Southside continues to do what she has always done best: offering delicious coffee, food from scratch and a place where everyone belongs. FBN
Macy's European Coffeehouse & Bakery, 14 S. Beaver St.,
Flagstaff, AZ 86001, 928-774-2243
macyseurocoffee@gmail.com
Thanks to photo: Owner Tim Macy says the coffeehouse's enduring appeal comes down to its goal of making everyone feel at home.
