Owner Cody Utzman celebrated the grand opening of Bodhi Cafe & Bakery at 810 Willamette St. on Wednesday, marking the first Eugene outpost for the Corvallis‑originated brand. The space, which previously housed Bagel Sphere, now hums with the scent of fresh‑baked sourdough and the chatter of downtown residents.
Local loan helps revive downtown storefronts
Utzman secured a $125,000 loan through Eugene’s downtown incentive program, which offers low‑interest financing for businesses that renovate and occupy vacant storefronts. “It feels like a partnership a little bit,” Utzman said, noting the city’s investment in revitalizing the corridor. Since 2018, the program has awarded more than $4.1 million in loans and grants, helping to fill office vacancies that remain roughly 50 % higher than pre‑COVID levels, according to a 2026 Pew Charitable Trusts report.
The loan will fund interior upgrades, facade improvements and accessibility enhancements, aligning with the city’s vision for a vibrant, walkable downtown. Aaron Doreen, the city’s business lending program manager, highlighted Bodhi’s opening as a sign of progress since the pandemic.
Menu built on health and craftsmanship
Bodhi’s menu emphasizes nutritious, quick‑serve options. Breakfast staples include towering morning buns, jammy marionberry danishes, and a signature Mayan hot cocoa spiced with chili and cinnamon. Lunch offerings feature cubanos, Oregon albacore tuna melts on fresh sourdough, and a lox plate with chive cream cheese, capers and pickled red onion.
Health‑focused items such as avocado toast with pickled radish, hot buttermilk biscuits with sausage‑mushroom gravy, and spinach‑feta‑artichoke danishes sit alongside vegan and gluten‑friendly choices. Smoothies like the banana‑bread‑flavored “Bees Knees” round out the beverage program.
Community‑oriented atmosphere
The sunny dining area invites patrons to work on laptops, meet friends or simply linger over a cup of coffee. A couple in their golden years enjoyed savory breakfast bowls, while a young family parked a stroller at the counter. Construction workers from nearby sites also stopped for a break, underscoring the cafe’s role as a gathering spot for a cross‑section of downtown workers.
Utzman, a chef with more than three decades of experience, trains baristas to guide customers toward the coffee they truly want, whether that’s a traditional two‑ounce Italian macchiato or the larger, espresso‑based version popularized by national chains.
From farmers market booth to multi‑city brand
Utzman launched the Bodhi brand eight years ago at a Corvallis farmers market, where his artisanal sourdough loaves quickly gained a following. A storefront opened in 2019, followed by a bistro in Corvallis and a cafe in Albany. The Eugene location mirrors the original concept: a casual eatery with a full coffee program, quick‑service breakfast and lunch, and a welcoming space for community members.
“That’s what it takes to run a place like this,” Utzman said, emphasizing his hope that each guest becomes a regular. “At the end of the day, people just want something good.”
Bodhi Cafe & Bakery is open Monday‑Friday 7 a.m.–3 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Gluten‑friendly and vegan options are available.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
