Kensington: Coffee Boom of 2010

If there is one thing that Kensington is known for, it is businesses. Trailing up and down Front Street and Kensington Avenue there is business after business, some small and family owned that have been around for over 30 years and some are new arrivals. What are the norms for Kensington’s business section are hardware stores, a community pharmacy, a dollar store and thrift shops. What we don’t normally think of when visions of Kensington come to mind are small, neighborhood cafes.

Being a “regular” at a bar in a specific community can be very common, but what is happening to places like Kensington is younger people are starting to move in and they are starting to develop places and events to call their own while simultaneously trying to bring in new and better business. Right now that surge is coming from the development of small cafes lining the small streets of the residential areas of the city.
Leotah’s Café is the newest addition to the younger scene in this area of the city, Bella Sera being the other fairly new café opening in Kensington off of Frankford Avenue and Dauphin Street.

Leotah’s is still in its infancy, having opened on May 21st of this year, and so far the café is maintaining a steady flow of newcomers to the area as well as people who have lived here all their lives. “Since we opened, I’ve noticed that our business has been very consistent. We had a great opening day with tons of people coming to hang out. A friend of mine even got some people together and they played the bongo drums and entertained people,” says Brittany Lewis, owner of Leotah’s.

This family-friendly, college student’s dream has the hopes of continuing a Moroccan tradition and style to its coffee and atmosphere, and Brittany is confident that her shop will continue to prosper and help the community come together and enjoy time together at a place made for them and their families. “Places like this really can put money back into the neighborhood and help it grow,” she says. Lewis also mentions that the café is environmentally aware by using energy-efficient espresso and coffee machines. “We also grow at the Emerald Street Farm and try as much as possible to stay organic.”

By Catharine Raynor and Matt Price

Group 17, Kensington