In the heat of the pandemic, Stephon Black had a business serving breakfast sandwiches and coffee in a drive-thru style restaurant. That breakfast spot didn’t survive through 2021. But dreams of coffee were still brewing, and Black Coffee opened this September.
Black Coffee resides inside another of Black’s startups, Sammich Shack on Palmer Park and Powers. After Sammich Shack upgraded from a drive-thru to a brick-and-mortar location, Black decided they had the space to reinvent the coffee shop from COVID past.
Black Coffee sources Hold Fast coffee in a part of town known more for its national chains than local small businesses. Black and his business partner Susan Gates wanted to give the neighborhood good coffee and a sense of unity right around the corner, emphasizing community over all else.
“We want people to come in and feel welcomed and loved,” Gates says. “They can just order anything; we’ll make it if we can.”
Black Coffee’s menu boasts sandwiches, smoothies and even a natural spin on flavorful energy drinks. Customers can also order anything on the Sammich Shack menu to go with their coffee of choice. Gates says her favorite menu item is the iced white chocolate latte with cherry cold foam.
Gates adds that the space is dynamic, describing it as a good place to pick up a cup on the way to work or stay and chat with a friend.
“We want to be at the service of, not the expense of people. We use the best quality products and give them the best experience,” Black says. “If it means they need to come in and do their homework or work for a couple hours using the Wi-Fi and not even grab a coffee, we just want them to feel welcome.”
Black Coffee is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
5867 Palmer Park Blvd.
