For months, there’s been talk of LoDo’s battered but beloved Common Grounds coffee shop moving to a new location. But it wasn’t until I stopped by for a bagel last week that I realized the chatter was more than a rumor.

Due to rising rent costs, the coffeehouse moved across the street last weekend. Now in the old Sugarbeat Cafe spot, Common Grounds has a much more polished feel. Gone are the worn tables and labyrinth-like space. The new location is spacious, sprawling, and clean–and modern artwork hangs on its walls.

So while this is no longer the place to hunker down in a dark corner for hours of reading, it’s definitely worth stopping in for coffee (Common Grounds recently lowered its prices to be on par with Starbucks), soup prepared daily, and sandwiches that are now made-to-order.

1550 17th St. (entrance on Wazee St.), 303-296-9248