The café space inside Karma Bird House on Maple Street in Burlington is getting a new tenant. Public Service VT, from the team behind Charlotte’s Old Brick Store, will take over for Kestrel Coffee Roasters this fall.
Old Brick Store owner Jolene Kao told Seven Days that the outpost will be the “Brick Store on a small scale.”
Kao bought the long-running general store at 290 Ferry Road in Charlotte in summer 2023. She gave it a chic update before reopening that September. Since then, “the Brick” has become both a community staple and a dining destination, with popular housemade pastries, a full-service espresso bar, and prepared foods that range from breakfast burritos to salads and sandwiches for lunch. It won the 2025 Seven Daysies award for best neighborhood corner store.
The Old Brick Store’s unique array of pantry staples, curated gifts, stationery and natural wine fits “the tradition of a general store, where there is a little bit of something for everyone,” Kao said in 2023. Exact plans are still in the works for the Burlington location, and things will continue as usual in Charlotte, she confirmed on Friday.
Kestrel opened its then-second location inside Karma Bird House’s front gallery at 47 Maple Street in fall 2019, replacing Maglianero Café. In a social media announcement on Friday, Kestrel owners Charlotte and Johnny Steverson confirmed that the location will close “this fall” and will continue operating Monday through Friday for now.
The couple’s original Tech Park roastery in South Burlington and newest location at Burlington International Airport will remain open.
“It’s been an incredible seven years,” the post said. “It’s a bummer. We’ve loved being here. We’ve loved our neighbors, our regulars, and being part of downtown Burlington.”
Kestrel’s other downtown location, at 77 Pine Street, closed in April. Friday’s announcement echoed the one sharing that news: “Small businesses have to keep changing and evolving.”
Follow @publicservicevt on Instagram for updates on the new spot.
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!
