Heights Ashbury Coffeehouse brings java and the arts together
The Heights Ashbury Coffeehouse is a perfect fit for the West 19th
Street corridor, where quaint antique shops and art galleries stretch
for blocks from Yale to Shepherd. Located at 242 West 19th Street,
Heights Ashbury is becoming a focal point for art exhibits and a light
music venue for local artists and musicians.
Upon entering the shop visitors are treated to an art show with original
paintings displayed on brightly colored walls in the dining area. A
space is provided for sound equipment for live music or poetry readings
while patrons sip espresso or fresh juices.
Owner Katy Whelan says she wants the Coffeehouse to promote the area.
“We want to offer a gathering place for the Heights community that
provides everything local, from our music to our coffee to our artwork.
We want to support our own neighborhood and provide a comfortable,
relaxing place for families of all ages. Our coffee is locally roasted
in the Montrose area so coffee by the pound is fresh roasted and we get
it every couple of days. If customers want to come in and look at our
coffee menu, order anything and if we don’t have it we will get it the
next day and it will be fresh.”
Katy says she decided to open a coffee house after living in Austin for
a few years. “I started seeing all these independent coffee houses
popping up, and they were serving as light music venues and neighborhood
meeting places, and I thought what a fun business to get into. I wanted
to do it in Austin but I came back to Houston and worked in the
corporate world for many years, and when I got enough money I thought
now is the time if I am ever going to do it.”
The coffee menu includes espresso, latte, mocha, cappucino and house
specialties. For the serious coffee drinker there is Café au lait, Breve,
Cortado, Cubano and iced coffee. Tea drinkers can find organic and loose
leaf teas, hot or iced black, green, herbal and Chai. Fresh juices are
served all day long, and other drinks offered are Italian soda, hot
chocolate, and Mexican hot chocolate.
For a snack or quick breakfast the coffee house offers a variety of
baked goods such as bagels, scones, croissants, muffins, empanadas,
cakes, cookies, biscotti, quiche, and organic yogurt and granola. There
will be a new menu in a few weeks that will have salads, sandwiches,
soups, paninis and additional breakfast items.
Hours for the Heights Ashbury Coffeehouse are Tuesday through Saturday,
8:00 am to 7:00 pm. Sunday hours are 8:00 to 5:00 pm. A weekend brunch
is held with live music every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 1:00
pm. Free wifi is available.
The Coffeehouse rents its space for private events and offers catering.
For more information and a calendar of events visit
www.heightsashbury.com.
You can find a “buy one get one free” coupon for a specialty coffee
drink at Heights Ashbury Coffeehouse at
www.tradersisland.com/htsashbury1.pdf.
