The Story...
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.
