Former Accountant Swaps Spreadsheets for Sandwiches at New North Liberty Deli

A former accountant who says she felt burnt out by her old career cut the ribbon Thursday on her new life's work: a deli and coffee shop in North Liberty that blends family recipes with an espresso menu. Tracy's Deli and Coffee, owned by Tracy Barr, held its inaugural ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick off a grand-opening weekend at 710 Pacha Parkway, the address where Midnight Coffee previously operated.

According to The Daily Iowan, the shop is described as a new, fully family-owned and operated business built around a welcoming environment, family recipes, coffee and conversation. Barr worked as an accountant for most of her career before deciding to pursue a new direction after feeling burnt out, the paper reports. Her family encouraged her to lean into her passion for cooking, and she originally wanted to open a deli on its own.

From Coffee Shop Closure to a New Concept

That plan changed when Barr learned Midnight Coffee was selling its Pacha Parkway location, prompting her to combine a deli and coffee shop under one roof instead. She said she aimed to retain Midnight Coffee's existing customers while attracting new ones to the space. Think Iowa City describes Midnight Coffee, formerly known as Coffee Emporium, as a local Eastern Iowa coffee shop that had four locations across the Corridor, each known for serving quality coffee and showcasing other small businesses in the area.

Barr announced her purchase of the unit on social media on July 31, the same account later used to share updates from the business, Tracy's Deli & Coffee Shop on Instagram. The shop then began a soft opening in early August while renovations continued, with the space and menu still adapting along the way. The interior received a complete makeover during that stretch, including calm green paint and cozy leather touches meant to set the mood Barr was after.

A Smooth Transition, Barr Says

Barr said the transition had gone smoothly and that the community embraced the shop quickly. She told the paper she wants the shop to feel like a welcoming place where customers feel like family — a goal that appears to be landing with at least some early visitors.

The ribbon-cutting itself was hosted by Greater Iowa City, Inc., a network of business and public sector leaders that supports and promotes local businesses, with more than a dozen of the organization's ambassadors turning out for the event. Garrett Lafler, one of those ambassadors, spoke at the ceremony as one of the opening speakers and said the shop's atmosphere was appealing, adding that he planned to return. Fellow ambassador Monique Washington said Greater Iowa City helps its members learn about community happenings and upcoming events like this one.

What's Next for Tracy's Deli and Coffee

The official grand opening is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 31, giving North Liberty residents a formal first look at the space after weeks of soft-opening service. With renovations still described as ongoing and the menu continuing to adapt, the shop's direction appears to still be taking shape even as its doors stay open to customers.