Word is starting to spread about a “hidden gem” in Lealman.
“People are still finding us, because every day, somebody new comes in,” said Sherill Hope. She and her daughter, Lee McMorrow, own and operate The Shop & Coffee House on Haines Rd N., which just celebrated its first year anniversary.
The Shop & Coffee House is a vintage market, local art shop, and espresso and smoothie bar, offering a little something for everyone. Hope and McMorrow first tested the concept in Pasadena, hosting a pop-up version as a trial run for a future full-time business.
“A gentleman let us come in and have the front of his store, so we set up with the vintage antiques and a few vendors that we knew,” Hope explained “It turned out to work very well with the coffee shop, the smoothies and shopping. The combination worked great, so we decided we would like to do this ourselves. “
The mother-daughter duo chose their current spot in Lealman because of its size, affordable rent and proximity to other local businesses.
“It was in an area that did not have other coffee shops, which was important to us,” Hope said. “We knew there wouldn’t be any foot traffic, so it’s been all word of mouth. We’ve had really good reviews, which we’re very proud of.”
In addition to making specialty coffee drinks and fresh smoothies, The Shop & Coffee House serves baked goods and light bites. The owners recently added more seating inside, hoping to encourage customers to take their time, stay awhile and enjoy themselves.
“We wanted a place that people can come and just sit and be comfortable, which we do have a number of regulars that come,” said Hope. “Sometimes people just come in because they know they can pick up a gift or shop and then end up having a coffee, or vice versa. I don’t think we would be making it if we did just the shop or just the coffee.”
Shopping enthusiasts can peruse new and vintage goods from more than 30 local vendors and artists, including a clothing line and home goods brand created by McMorrow herself. Hope said some of their biggest sellers are vintage mid-century modern furniture, a style that’s making a comeback in current home design trends. They also see younger people coming to shop the vintage goods, giving the secondhand items a new life.
The Shop & Coffee House is especially active on social media, often posting new items and sales on their Facebook page. Hope said she and her daughter are optimistic that their passion-project-turned-business will continue to thrive in Lealman.
“We have noticed the changes that are happening,” Hope said. “That’s another reason why we ended up here, because we could see that it’s going to grow.”