ChangeBaker Place brings coffee, community, Colombian roots to East Charlotte

When you walk through the front door of The Changebaker Place, the smell of fresh-brewed coffee and baked goods hits you in a great way.

Opened in January, the shop is the latest venture from Manolo Betancur and his wife, Leidy Ospina, who expanded into the space next to Manolo’s Bakery to create something more than just a coffee shop. The result is a place that feels personal.

Designed by Ospina, the space leans into comfort and connection. It feels less like a business and more like you’ve stepped into a friend’s home.

Cool jazz plays softly in the background, and each room has its own distinct feel. There are cozy chairs for lounging, tables for gathering and local artwork lining the walls, all available for purchase if something catches your eye.

The coffee menu covers the classics, but with a focus on local ingredients and thoughtful execution. In a nod to Manolo’s Colombian heritage, the beans are Colombian, sourced through a local roaster.

One standout: the tres leches latte, created by barista Alexandra Pilarte as a tribute to the bakery next door. I liked it, but since I’m not the coffee expert in the family, I brought in my grandmother, Nini, for backup. Her review: “very impressed.”

I also ordered the floral chai latte iced, and it ended up being the surprise of the visit. Instead of powders or concentrates, the tea is made from fresh leaves, something you don’t see often.

It takes a little longer, but that’s part of the experience. Watching the tea steep before the milk and spices are added makes you slow down a bit. The final drink had a subtle floral note with a hint of cinnamon that reminded me of horchata.

If you’re hungry, the menu includes a mix of creative sandwiches. The Charlotte Thanksgiving sandwich layers turkey, sweet potato and cranberry, while the Colombian paisa sandwich brings together beef, sweet plantains and avocado.

But we’ll be honest — we skipped straight to the pastries.

The pistachio cinnamon roll was rich and worth ordering again, but the croissants were the highlight. If you time it right, you can actually watch them being made behind the counter. The guava version is a classic, but the chocolate croissant stole the show. Get it warmed up for the full flaky, gooey experience.

Part neighborhood gathering spot, part coffee lounge and part patisserie, The ChangeBaker Place feels like exactly what east Charlotte needs, a place to slow down, settle in and stay awhile.

The ChangeBaker Place

Location: 4405 Central Ave B, Charlotte, NC 28205

Cuisine: Coffee creations, tea, pastries, sandwiches

Instagram: @TheChangeBakerPlace

Tristan Graziano, a Weddington High School student, enjoys golfing in his free time and hanging with his friends. Tristan can be reached on Instagram @tristanscoops. Jamie Graziano, aka The GrazFather, is a dad who dreams of starting his food review and travel website TheGrazFather.com. Jamie can be reached at jamie@thegrazfather.com or on Instagram @thegrazfather.