For more than four decades, Macy’s Coffeehouse has maintained its cozy hangout vibe.
Owner Tim Macy says the coffeehouse’s enduring appeal comes down to purpose.
Created in the Spirit of Unity
Macy moved from Southern California to Flagstaff in 1979 after a stop in town while touring as a professional golfer. “I thought, ‘Wow, this is a cool town – really beautiful,’” he recalled. He opened Macy’s on Feb. 1, 1980, in the former Middle Earth Bakery space on South Beaver Street, later purchasing the building in 2011.
The café was shaped by Macy’s devotion to the Baha’i Faith, founded in 19th-century Iran by Baha’u’llah and centered on the oneness of humanity. “I had a mission to open a place that would be a microcosm where we’re all one,” Macy said. “Everyone is welcome in the spirit of unity and diversity.”
Top Achievements and Core Values
Longevity and belonging top Macy’s list of accomplishments. “We’re still here, which is nice,” he said. “The main thing is, we’ve created a family here.”
That sense of family extends to staff and customers alike. Visitors who return years later often tell him, “It was my favorite place,” a sentiment Macy says never gets old.
“Family. Unity. Everyone is welcome,” he added. “Everyone who walks 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. “The prices just keep going up,” Macy said, noting the difficulty younger employees face finding affordable housing. “My big concern is to take care of the people who work here.”
Despite pressures to expand, Macy chose not to franchise. “I just wanted to keep the spirit of this place the way we always wanted it,” he said. Staying afloat while remaining true to that mission remains the biggest challenge.
Looking Ahead
As Macy’s marks more than four decades, Macy hopes its founding values endure. “If all we cared about was money and treated people without 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: offer delicious coffee, made-from-scratch food 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
Courtesy Photo: Owner Tim Macy says the coffeehouse’s enduring appeal comes down to its goal to make everyone feel at home.
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