More than two years after Doug's Suds laundromat lost its lease at the corner of Carl & Cole before the space underwent a seismic retrofit, plans are gelling for a new café to move into the space.

Originally rumored as early as last fall, we can now confirm that Wooden Café, a new venture by Sunset resident Steve Wickwire, plans to start slinging coffee at the busy intersection.

Wickwire, who's spent the last nine years as a barista and in café management, said he loves Cole Valley and is "excited for the opportunity to bring really delicious coffee to this 'hood in a unique environment."

Competition will be stiff: Reverie is just a few doors down at 848 Cole St., and one block south, Peet's (919 Cole St.), and La Boulangerie (1000 Cole St.) have been keeping Cole Valleyites caffeinated for years.

Wickwire said he's planning to open in mid-July "with no specific date yet. This will be a soft opening as we ease into it, but still have a lot to do before we can officially open."

Over the next couple of weeks, Wickwire said he'll be setting up an internet presence and getting the space ready for customers.

While he's keeping mum so far about coffee and food options , we can tell you that Planning in December approved the conditional use of the space as a restaurant in operation from 7am–5pm witout beer or wine.