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Leotah's Place finds a home in East Kensington
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Leotah's Place finds a home in East Kensington
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| Leotah's Place flickr |
| Partners Blew Lewis and Kristen Baskin |
Since May of 2009, Britteny "Blew" Lewis has brought her special lattes to the people via her traveling coffeehouse. Now Leotah's Place, named for her mother, has inked a lease on a space at 2033 E. York St., on the corner of York and Coral in East Kensington.
"I've always wanted to have a coffeehouse," said Lewis in a phone chat. "What I really love about them are the personal relationships, listening to one another -- creating a place of comfort." A successful year of tinkering with her portable espresso machine and hosting floating events like Bring Your Words, an open mic night for poets, storytellers and musicians, has inspired Lewis and business partner Kristen Baskin to make Leotah's Place a permanent endeavor.
Exposed brick and plenty of light define the 50-seat space, which Lewis plans to utilize as three rooms -- a family friendly front room with coffee bar and kid's corner will be the "noisy room", the next becomes the "medium" room, full of books and cozy couches, while the farthest-back space is the "quiet" room, for folks who would like to work or read uninterrupted. Food, including sandwiches, chips and salsa, shakes, salads with "fun and tropical" dressings and soups, will take inspiration from the many diverse cultures all living in East Kensington.
Direct Trade coffee from Guatamala is roasted by Ohio roaster and friend La Terza, and the critical element to Lewis' signature "cups of love" lattes. "We use milk from Merrymead Farms in Lancaster," she says, "and the latte is just sweet enough, but you can still taste the espresso."
Event-wise, Bring Your Words will continue, as well as workshops, classes and skill shares. "I want to do community building in this space," says Lewis. "This store represents what I am really desiring for this community and all of Philadelphia."
This sounds great. Can't wait to check it out!
i love the idea of 3 separate spaces laid out by noise level! cant wait til it opens
If you host it the people will come!!! Bring your words is an amazing event! Thanks for that.
Yay! Can't wait to see/chill/support you by buying coffee & snacks in the new space! :) Congratulations, B-Lew!
Thanks for being pioneers and doing the hard work of opening a coffee shop--we will certainly support you and I am sure our artist/musician tenants will too. We have a loft building a block or so away near Coral and Arizona Street. A good, local coffee/food shop has been sorely missing from our section of the 'hood. We are in your corner! Congratulations!
Blew, you are an amazing women! May God continue to multiply your energy, creativity, business-sense, and love! You are an inspiration to me!
You are too, Kristen! I appreciate how you both are putting hands and feet to your love and beliefs! :)
Congrats Kristen and Blew! Can't wait to visit the new space :-)
Thank you for the inspiration that Bring Your Words has given me. I get just as much from your aspirations and achievements. Thanks for thinking the way you do.
OOOOHHH RIIGHT!! Britt, this is sweet. :) I pray and hope God continues to bless this vision and mission that He's given you. At this point, thanksgiving should be the main response. I love you gals.
Congrats ladies! I am proud of you!
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