Ensley, Alabama Heritage Coffee -Part 1

Took a staycation to an area I moved away from 60+ years ago. Revitalization is in the works but I still have childhood memories of its heyday.

Founded in 1886 by Enoch Ensley the area  started out as Tennessee Coal and Iron (TCI) and prospered greatly. After purchase in 1907 by U.S. Steel the plant continued to thrive in the production of iron and steel. 

 

I started off in Ensley as a child but later our family was forced to move when a housing project was planned for the area. I lived two blocks from the famed Tuxedo Junction made prominent by Birmingham band leader and trumpeter Erskine Hawkins when he composed the song of the same name.

A running joke when visiting other places was that if a person was from Birmingham, Alabama it was assumed that the males in their family worked at  “the Steel Plant.” True enough this was considered a good job for unskilled laborers especially African Americans though they were paid less and put in more dangerous positions. 

Downtown Ensley was a flourishing metropolis during its prime. It had pretty much everything the community needed. In contrast by providing needed services for the inhabitants money spent by Steel Plant employees profited  business owners who rarely lived in the area.

A few weeks ago I went "up in Ensley" to see what recent changes had taken place.

Serving the Ensley community from 1922-2012.  If you couldn’t find it anywhere else you could find it at Cotton’s Department Store.

Heritage Coffee and Tres'  Fine Clothing (a Men's Clothing Store) resides in what was once Cotton's Department Store.

The second floor is housed by an attorney.

Inside  with  exposed brick walls and coffee bar along with food  and other beverages if you're not a coffee drinker. From previous posts you know I'm a coffee drinker.  The barista prepared for me a delicious caramel latte. Need I say more?

I was told future plans include those of most coffee bars and shops. Bands, spoken word poetry, various other events.

I always ask the owners before taking pictures and I was assured it was okay but asked to leave a review on Facebook which I did. In appreciation I received a free coffee # on my next visit.  I took a picture of the barista and though he consented, I could tell by his body language he didn't want to. So, J**h I didn't include your picture. 

Additional floors of the building will be used as office space and meeting rooms for those who work from home and may need to meet clients in a neutral space. 

That's it***

Next time: Part 2 Tres' Fine Clothing

 Lastly: I DO NOT LIKE the new Google Blogger platform. I have very little freedom to alter things.