| The Brooklyn Coffee & Teahouse sits on the Hennessy-McHale Block in the historical Smith Hill district of Providence, Rhode Island. This 3 and 1/2-story brick structure has ground floor store fronts and 3 window bays in each upper story; all facade windows are crowned with keystone hoodmolds. John B. Hennessey, a grocer, rented this building to Thomas P. McHale Family. They operated a grocery store on the first floor and lived upstairs between 1874 and 1926; the McHales bought the building in 1892. It had been the home of the Armenian American Civic club since 1940.
 It is not shocking that Anthony Demings, a local artist, bought this building for the future home of his coffeehouse. In November of 1996, there was an article written about him in the Providence Journal titled "Sharp Pencil, Incisive". This article described him as a "visual historian". When Anthony Demings looks at a house, he can see the studs in the walls. He can strip off the shingles and siding on a historical home and draw a picture of what it looked like 200 years ago..."(Cohen,C-01). That is probably what Tony (as his friends call him) did when he saw this historical building on 209 Douglas Avenue. He could see its future potential when most saw a run down building and a lot full of weeds. He has worked hard to restore the property.
The Brooklyn Coffee & Teahouse is an alternative coffee house for students, art and coffee lovers, and international people to come and enjoy a cup of coffee or a pot of tea. The name Brooklyn Coffee & Teahouse is inspired by his artwork focused on one tower of the Brooklyn Bridge, built in 1883 (Cohen,C-01). In this Painting, he uses the color purple which is one of his favorite colors. Demings is mostly known for his artworks at Johnson & Wales University and other images throughout the country. His use of color gives his artwork life (Cohen, C-01). He only draws things that have an aura. Currently the Brooklyn Coffee & Teahouse shows his artwork and other local artists for all to enjoy. |
History