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THE GREAT INDOORS: Philly's flyest coffee nooks
In honor of this week's DesignPhiladelphia events, we're taking readers on a virtual tour of three well-designed, workable café spaces in Philly. The fact that they happen to have great coffee is just a plus.
THE GREAT INDOORS: Philly's flyest coffee nooks
Reporter Meg Augustin takes you inside some of Philly's most fab dwellings to showcase our city's unique grasp on design and architecture.
Philadelphia’s evolving café scene is percolating with the finest beans the world has offer, but a heap of coffee-shop patrons care less about the flavor of their java and more about the atmosphere — especially one that provides an ideal work environment for the city’s abundant student population and the increasing number of work-from-homers. Besides offering ample room to work and comfy seating, design is what turns a run-of-the-mill espresso factory into a haven of productivity. So in honor of this week’s DesignPhiladelphia events, we're taking readers on a virtual tour of three gorgeous, workable café spaces in Philly. The fact that they happen to give great brew is just an added bonus.
One Shot 217 W. George St., 215-627-1620, 1shotcoffee.com ➤ This Queen Village newbie screams 
academia. Designed by SL Design (of Arrow Swim Club fame), the shop is antiqued and worldly yet far from stuffy. A comfy seating area with reading lights, a library and motorcycle murals keep things livened up. The space is just comfortable enough to entertain finishing that novel for American Lit but not so much you’ll want to take a snoozer. Several small tables line the wall with enough space for your laptop and books. All tables feature a personal outlet so you don’t have to fight for a spot and the only people who have to face the work counter are the ones in the social-area booths.
Chapterhouse Café and Gallery 620 S. Ninth St., 215-238-2626 ➤ Designed by owner Rob Cortez 
(who's featured in this edition of The Great Indoors) and his wife Shannon, this spot combines unique architectural details with smooth, mid-century furniture to create a space that is calm and inviting. The shop is a hood favorite, with the weekend hours packed with workaholics, students and writers alike. The upstairs features two large rooms, one decorated with that month’s unique artwork and the other loaded with tall windows. Downstairs, the spaces get more intimate and less distracting. Two areas downstairs feature a workspace wall, a faux-fireplace with mid-century loungers and a backroom with spots of sunlight and large worktables. The design utilizes vivid art, arched doorways and wood tones to balance out the cooling and calming effects of the blue-grey walls and stainless furniture. Large and spacious, cool and comforting, and with plenty of outlets and free Wi-Fi, this spot is the ultimate study time buddy.
Cake and The Beanstalk 1112 Locust St., 215-592-6505, cakeandthebeanstalk.blogspot.com ➤ 
Not far from the med schools of Jefferson, this Wash West coffee and treat station is the perfect antithesis to white-walled exam rooms. The shop utilizes light and color to form a perfect “happy place” for hours of studying. The separate coffee counter, which also features delicious pastries and cakes, is nicely placed away from the dining room, saving patrons from guilty eye contact with the workers. Free Wi-Fi and plenty of outlets serve the eight tables and 19 chairs in the dining room. Wall-to-wall windows and a rare-in-Center-City outside garden area surround the space, making your tedious fall-semester studying a little more sunshine-y and bearable.
If you’d like to see your home or business featured in an upcoming post of The Great Indoors, email Meg at megan.augustin@citypaper.net.
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