Loop’s Coffee House and Bistro has opened in Dolores at 795 Railroad Ave.

Owner Mark Looper took over the former Pony Expresso building and, along with his girlfriend Misty Henderson, remodeled it to make room for more tables. A newly installed bar with tall stools gives the revived shop a classic bistro feel and is meant to inspire coffee shop conversation.

“It’s been a lot of work, and feels great to open the doors,” said Looper, who was a former partner of the previous shop, which closed down in December.

The outdoor patio and added indoor seating “creates a comfortable place for customers,” added Henderson. There is also a convenient drive-through window.

Loop’s serves every type of coffee drink you can imagine, plus breakfast burritos, cinnamon rolls, sandwiches, soups, salads, and smoothies. An expanded menu will be coming out in the summer that includes ice cream, burgers, barbecue and regular specials.

Owning a coffee shop “has been my dream,” Looper said. “The community has been very supportive of my plan to reopen. I’m looking forward to seeing all my old customers and meeting new ones.”

Longtime barista Dakota Willis was hired back, and additional staff will be brought in soon to handle the usual rush of regulars, Dolores campus students, snowbirds, skiers, cyclists and tourists.

“I’ve missed Mark’s coffee, I’m so glad he’s back,” said return regular Jason Sutherland.

Looper learned the coffee trade in Europe, making hundreds of cappuccinos per day at a shop on the Rhine River, he said.

“When Europeans come in, I love making it in their style – extra strong, half-and-half instead of milk for cappuccinos.”

Loop’s Coffee House is open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to noon on Sunday. Check out its Facebook page for specials and events.