In recent years, the number of local coffee roasteries in Philadelphia has exploded. Chestnut Hill, One Village, Green Street, and L’Aube are just a few of the local roasters that have contributed to the evolving coffee scene in our fine town. Another local roaster, ReAnimator Coffee, recently moved to a new and larger location in Kensington, into a warehouse that also contains an arts space.

Entrance to the building

Reanimator used Lucky Ant, a crown-funding company out of New York, to fund part of the construction of their new Production Facility and Coffee Lab. Using this method, they were able to raise over $8,500 which went toward buildout and equipment. In exchange for “investments,” they offered swag, membership to their coffee of the month club, or Reanimator coffee for life, depending on the amount contributed. We poked our head into their new spot, and we’re confident that it will be a successful space for them to grow their business for years to come.

Another view of the building

As we mentioned above, Reanimator isn’t alone in this giant warehouse. 161 West, a gallery and performance space, also calls this building home. From what we could tell when we visited, there’s still plenty of additional space for 161 West or Reanimator to grow, or for another entity or two to join in this building. Most of the space was still unfinished and seemingly vacant, though perhaps 161 West events spill out into this space.

Both Reanimator and 161 West are great additions to Kensington, and it’s great to see them taking over a huge old building and adapting it to their needs. Many other businesses have done this in recent years, and we can only hope the trend continues. As far as we can tell, this is preferable to seeing these warehouses demolished in favor of unimaginative new construction, as we’re beginning to see in this neighborhood and others.