Pompano Beach cultural affairs department seeks coffee shop owner for unique opportunity at Bailey Contemporary Arts center

Pompano Beach, Florida – The City of Pompano Beach is looking for a coffee shop owner or an entrepreneur with a dream to run a coffee business in a one-of-a-kind location at the Bailey Contemporary Arts Center (BaCA). In response to a Request for Proposals (RFP), the City is inviting proposals for this exciting opportunity. The chosen vendor will have the chance to operate a coffee shop within the West Gallery at BaCA, a space that combines the vibrancy of the arts with the buzz of the coffee culture.

This opportunity not only provides a business owner with the chance to run a coffee shop in a historic and creative space, but it also comes with the benefit of being part of Pompano Beach’s thriving arts community. With its unique blend of art and culture, BaCA is a venue that attracts a diverse audience, creating an ideal environment for a coffee shop that can cater to art enthusiasts, community members, and visitors from across the area. The deadline for submitting proposals is Thursday, August 28, 2025, making now the perfect time for entrepreneurs to explore this creative and profitable venture.

“We are excited to offer this opportunity to coffee shop owners who are already in business or to those who have always dreamed of running a coffee shop,” said Ty Tabing, the City of Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs Director. “The location and the ready-made audience make this a genuine partnership that could bring inherent benefits to both of us in a prosperous endeavor!”

A Venue Steeped in History and Culture

Bailey Contemporary Arts Center, or BaCA, is more than just an art gallery; it’s a hub for artistic innovation and education. Located in the heart of Pompano Beach, BaCA is housed within the historic Bailey Hotel, a building that dates back over a century. This venue has played host to hundreds of exhibitions, showcasing the works of local, national, and international artists. BaCA’s mission is not just to display art but to foster creativity and community engagement through educational workshops, classes, and events.

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BaCA’s West Gallery, where the new coffee shop will be located, offers an ideal spot for anyone looking to start a coffee business. The space spans approximately 700 square feet and includes areas for dining, operations, and merchandise display. Additionally, the gallery has two storage closets and a restroom that is available for public use. The venue also offers independent locking systems to ensure security. The coffee shop will be able to leverage the existing window insert used for merchandise display, which could also be removed to create more usable space as per the new operator’s preference.

A Ready-Made Audience

BaCA is known for its wide range of events that attract people from all walks of life. One of the largest regularly occurring events is Old Town Untapped, a street festival held the first Friday of every month, from October to June. The festival brings large crowds to BaCA, making it a prime opportunity for a coffee shop operator to attract new customers. The City’s goal with this RFP is to enhance the visitor experience at BaCA and encourage guests to linger longer by providing them with a comfortable space where they can enjoy high-quality coffee and light food options.

“The idea is to create an environment where art lovers and visitors to BaCA can enjoy a warm cup of coffee while soaking in the creativity around them,” Tabing explained. “We want to provide a high-quality experience that complements the artistic energy of the space, making it a place where people feel welcome to relax and enjoy the moment.”

In addition to Old Town Untapped, BaCA offers a variety of workshops, art exhibitions, and other events that attract both locals and tourists alike. With its vibrant mix of culture and community engagement, BaCA is an ideal venue for anyone looking to start a coffee shop business that will benefit from a steady stream of foot traffic and a diverse customer base.

A Space with Potential

The West Gallery has previously housed a coffee shop that was forced to close during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the space has the necessary infrastructure in place for a coffee shop, such as plumbing, electricity, drainage, and public Wi-Fi, the selected proposer will be responsible for ensuring that the space meets all of their specific business needs. This includes determining if any additional renovations or upgrades are required to create a fully functional coffee shop.

“While the space is already set up with the basics, we want the new operator to think creatively about what they need to enhance the space and make it their own,” said Tabing. “Whether it’s plumbing, electrical work, or any other infrastructure adjustments, we’re looking for a partner who is willing to invest in making this space a truly special place for customers.”

Utilities like water, electricity, and internet are already available, and the coffee shop operator will also benefit from the existing alarm system and security features. The West Gallery is self-contained, meaning it has its own locks and security system, allowing the coffee shop to operate independently from the rest of BaCA when needed.

An Opportunity for Collaboration

The City of Pompano Beach intends for the license agreement with the coffee shop operator to last for an initial three years, with the possibility of renewing for two additional one-year periods. One of the key factors in selecting the right operator will be their ability to collaborate with BaCA and the City to enhance the arts experience at the venue.

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“It’s important that the coffee shop operator is a team player who will work closely with the City and BaCA to ensure that the space remains a welcoming environment for visitors while contributing to the overall atmosphere of the arts center,” Tabing said. “We’re looking for someone who is not only passionate about coffee but also about being a part of the arts community.”

As part of the proposal process, operators are also required to incorporate art into the décor and presentation of the coffee shop space. This element of the RFP is meant to ensure that the coffee shop fits seamlessly into the artistic environment of BaCA, creating a space that feels like an extension of the gallery rather than a standalone business.

How to Apply

Interested coffee shop owners or entrepreneurs must be registered on the City’s eBid System in order to submit a proposal. The complete solicitation document, including detailed requirements and guidelines, can be downloaded for free from the eBid System at https://pompanobeachfl.ionwave.net. The City is also hosting a non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting via Zoom on July 15, 2025, at 10:00 AM. A site visit will immediately follow the meeting, offering potential proposers a chance to tour the space and ask any questions about the RFP.

Proposals are due by 2:00 p.m. on August 28, 2025, and must be submitted electronically through the eBid System. Late submissions will not be considered, so interested parties are encouraged to start the process early.

For more information about the project, or to access the Zoom link for the pre-proposal meeting and site visit, visit the City of Pompano Beach’s meetings page at https://www.pompanobeachfl.gov/meetings.

This is a unique opportunity for coffee shop owners and entrepreneurs to become part of Pompano Beach’s vibrant arts scene, offering high-quality coffee and food in an environment that inspires creativity and community engagement. With a location in a historic building that draws large crowds and a commitment to artistic collaboration, this coffee shop venture is poised for success.