Coffee, bubble tea and pastries are among the many offerings available at Olde Kensington’s newest cafe.
The Ground Coffee, Plants & Gifts, located at The Gotham at 2000 N. 2nd St., recently opened its doors to the neighborhood. Founded by Michelle Miller and Molly Kiriacoulacos, the 650-square-foot space, which was designed by Miller, features gifts and a multitude of homegrown plants in addition to its food and drink offerings.
Miller, who also helped design several other projects throughout the city, said she wanted to combine her passions for plants, crafts and coffee in a fresh, new concept.
“Part of the magic of our space is how much effort and energy was put into it,” Miller said in a press release. “The level of effort shows the level of respect we have for this neighborhood. We wanted it to be a beautiful space that people are proud to come into, and that’s the energy we’ve been receiving from our multi-generational customers in our first days.”
The menu features drip coffee, artisanal coffee drinks, teas from Harney & Sons, bubble tea and various other drinks. Pastries such as beignets, croissants, danishes and muffins from Au Fournil in Narberth are also offered.
A majority of the plants in the cafe are from a large greenhouse Miller and Kiriacoulacos built on Miller’s property in Mount Airy. The duo’s inventory features plants grown at home and ones that are sourced out from local nurseries, with coffee grinds used as compost for both their plants and others throughout the neighborhood. Opening up more people to the importance of plants is something Miller and Kiriacoulacos take pride in.
“They are just magical and can dramatically transform the vibe of any location, indoors or outdoors,” Kiriacoulacos said. “We want to bring the joy of house plants and greenery to everyone. We feel strongly about the important role in our quality of life, and are working to make them accessible to everyone in our neighborhood.”
Inclusive pricing is a major focus of the cafe, with coffee starting at $1.50 and plants available for purchase starting at $2.50. Current hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
