What is now One Up One Down Coffee Roastery & Caffe on Cass Street in Trenton began as an online subscription for bicycle-delivered coffee beans. In 2015, owner Vince Camioli and wife Natalie set up an online shop for their home-roasted coffee beans.
Vince spent a year and a half apprenticing as a coffee roaster in order to learn the craft. He recalls how he “started roasting coffee almost a decade ago on a popcorn popper at home, as many roasters do.”
For the first few years, One Up One Down was kept as a side-hustle for the co-owners who worked other day jobs, but as things progressed they decided to expand their enterprise by opening the Cass Street location in September of 2019.
Within six months, the nation was in covid lockdown, but the cafe survived and has now returned to normal operating business hours, closing by 4pm on weekdays and 1pm on weekends.
With the emphasis on specialty beans, ethical products, and the official Italian spelling of caffe with two ‘f’s, it would be easy to feel intimidated by the trendy coffee boutique if you’ve never been there.
But inside One Up One Down is spacious, with leather couches and armchairs, and stacks of used books sitting on coffee tables and spilling out from bookshelves.
With free wifi, plenty of space, and affordable quality coffee, One Up One Down is a proper work spot for Mercer students.
Vince Camioli says the goal of One Up One Down is to serve a “well-balanced cup, and present it in an unpretentious, down-to-earth setting.”
As a local food professional, Natalie got to work ensuring that the cafe is stocked with baked goods, all of which are vegan, and some of which are gluten-free.
Whether it be a creamy latte, aromatic espresso, or a good ol’ cup of drip coffee, customers can be sure that their potion of choice is sourced responsibly and roasted by true artists.
The drinks at One Up One Down range from $2.00 for drip coffee to around $4.50 for specialty drinks. Baked goods fall around a $2.50 average.
If you’re looking to get into coffee brewing yourself, there is plenty of brewing equipment to try out from simple filters, cold coffee brewers, to drip kettles. Some of these items are exclusively offered in their online shop.
Masks are required for both employees and patrons to ensure safety, which is a comfort to know for those who are itching to get out of the house, but still want to feel safe in public spaces. Unfortunately, there is no wheelchair access to One Up One Down and the entrance sits several steps up. On-street parking is offered which can sometimes be a challenge during busier mornings.
Vince says that the very name of the cafe–One Up One Down–reflects his personal philosophy; “it embodies a simple concept that I attempt to apply universally: Balance. Work balanced with play.”
