After 12 years at its 7th Street and Mitchell location in midtown Phoenix, Urban Beans has moved to the heart of the Melrose District at 7th Avenue and Highland. The local vegan café also is moving on from its traditional physical coffee shop model to a cloud kitchen restaurant hub.

For those who are new to the concept of cloud kitchens, co-owner Nathaniel Burns explained that a cloud kitchen utilizes a commercial kitchen for the purpose of preparing food for delivery or takeout only, with no dine-in customers. Cloud kitchens enable restaurateurs to expand an existing restaurant or start a virtual brand at minimal cost. He said that the format will allow the restaurant to concentrate on elevating food quality, adding that kitchen and equipment are not shared, so there is no potential for cross contamination with non-vegan food.

Burns added, “People want delivery, they want a greater focus on food quality, and they want parking! So with the behemoth development and national chain drive through to the south, and the new tenants planned for 2022 in our own already cramped complex, we decided it was time to pivot and evaluate what we could do to best meet all the needs and wants of our community.”

Diners can order online and pick up food at the new location at 720 W. Highland Ave., or order delivery through their favorite service. For more information, visit www.urbanbeans.com.