Longtime Burlington barista Cole Thornton will return to pulling espresso shots downtown with the springtime opening of Café Napoli at 163 Cherry Street. Thornton worked for a decade at the Cosmic Grind at 104 Church Street before leaving in May. His business partner in the new coffee shop is Dante Seguino, who named the café for his family’s roots in Naples, Italy, and that city’s influence on espresso culture, Thornton said.
The Cosmic Grind has been mostly closed since Thornton left, though owner Ian Senesac told Seven Days he hopes to reopen this spring.
Thornton, 27, said he and Seguino have been working to remodel and outfit the cozy Cherry Street space that was most recently cannabis dispensary Lucky You, since moved to College Street. Before that, it had a seven-year run as Lucky Next Door, sister business to the shuttered Penny Cluse Café.
Café Napoli will feature beans from local roasters, such as Montgomery’s Big Jay Roasting, and housemade syrups for its seasonal drink menu, Thornton said. Specialty teas and pastries from area bakers will be on offer, and Thornton said he hopes to use Lucky Next Door’s old beer keg system to serve iced coffee on draft.
The barista is looking forward to stepping behind the new La Marzocco espresso machine, he added. “I loved the community and what I did,” Thornton said.
This article appears in February 11 • 2026.
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