Coffee Keller owner Chayla Henle stands with the four tables and eight chairs available for her sidewalk cafe.

NEW ULM – Looking to ease issues with accessibility and space, Coffee Keller Henle decided to move on up with a street-level sidewalk cafe.

The Coffee Keller operates underneath Christmas Haus, where Kevin’s Barber Shop used to be. For its newest expansion, four tables and eight chairs have been set up on the sidewalk next to the shop’s stairs.

Henle said the idea for the sidewalk cafe came from known accessibility issues.

“To have outdoor street-level seating at least seasonally would alleviate that issue,” she said. “We can have people with accessibility issues still enjoy our products, while not having to go down the stairs.”

When Henle looked closer at the sidewalk space, she realized she had enough space to place tables and chairs without obstructing the flow of foot traffic. To go through with her idea she needed approval from City Council, which she said was hassle-free.

“They needed a map and some measurements from me,” Henle said. “It was pretty simple.”

For customers who wish to use the sidewalk cafe, a banner will display their phone number. Patrons can call that number and order on the phone, after which their food and drinks will be brought up to them.

Henle said the only items that can’t be brought up to the sidewalk cafe are locally made and wholesale goods in their retail space. She said this is because those items are meant to stay within the store and be bought before one leaves.

Henle said she is thrilled to provide an outdoor dining and beverage option.

“I feel like it’s very limited downtown,” she said. “A lot of places don’t have the space for it. Finding a small area we can utilize; it’s a really big deal that we take advantage of it.”

On top of accessibility, Henle said they have dealt with periods of overflow. Adding this sidewalk cafe provides more spots for people to sit during busy times. The move also comes at a time when Coffee Keller is continuing to expand.

“We have a full-service grab-and-go with food we didn’t have when we originally started,” she said. “We have shaker salads in a cup with a dome top. You put the dressing on, shake them, and eat them in the cup.”

Henle said she is not looking to add anything else outdoors, and the sidewalk cafe will stay as is for around the next year. Coffee Keller is open M-F 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.