BRONZEVILLE — South Side coffee lovers now have a new spot in Bronzeville to get their caffeine fix.
And although the name is new, the location may be familiar to those from the neighborhood.
Sip and Savor, 528 E. 43rd St., officially opened Saturday in the same building that was home of the Bronzeville Coffee House, which shuttered in 2011.
Owner Trez Pugh III, who also owned the Bronzeville Coffee House, said people are happy to see the java spot reopen. The space formerly served as a sort of cultural hub of the neighborhood, hosting jazz and comedy shows among other events.
"It's got that feel like 'Cheers.' Everybody knows everybody ... and it's in an atmosphere that's like your home," Pugh said of the new Sip and Savor. "The community has been hungry for something classy and elegant."
The space is painted with vibrant colors and work from local artists hangs on the walls. Customers enjoy free wifi, and Pugh is still finishing a back patio that can host live music, shows or private events like wine tastings. He said he expects the patio to be finished this fall, although some customers have begun using it already as is.
And Pugh, who grew up in Old Town, said he "brought some North Side" to the space, installing front windows that can fully open during the summer months.
Pugh, who owns the building, opened the Bronzeville Coffee House with a partner in 2005 but shut it down six years later due to "philosophical differences" about how it should run, Pugh said.
In 2012, Pugh opened Sip and Savor in Hyde Park at 5301 South Hyde Park Boulevard, which focused more on coffee and baked goods and less on events.
But Pugh said he wants the Bronzeville location to be a must-see spot where people from the neighborhood and "heavies," like politicians and professional athletes, want to be.
The coffee shop is sandwiched on both sides by other local businesses, the Ain't She Sweet Cafe and Agriculture, a men's clothing boutique. Pugh said he hopes to see more development on the stretch of East 43rd Street to help keep community dollars in Bronzeville.
But Pugh admits that transformation is a marathon and not a sprint. For now, he said he wants Sip and Savor to be a place for the community where "everybody can come and grow their craft."
"That's what I really want to do," Pugh said. "I want it to be a staple of the community."
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