Dan SquireThe lights were dimmed and the show began, as people all along Lancaster Avenue flooded into MilkBoy Coffee, a new and artistic musical beanery in Ardmore, Pa. on March 18.
MilkBoy Coffee is the creation of Jamie Lokoff and Tommy Joyner, also co-owners of Ardmore’s MilkBoy Recording Studios, and business partner Paul Lichtman. The owners felt that opening an arts and music venue for people to socialize and relax was a great addition to Lokoff and Joyner’s previous studio venture.
Lokoff said, “We thought there was a void in this area for students to have a place to go to express their creativity. We have a very sophisticated group of students here. There are over 20 colleges and high schools surrounding this area, but where can students go?”
After Eileen Kuter, a sophomore biology major from Millersville University, went to MilkBoy Coffee for her first time, she said, “The atmosphere in Milkboy Coffee is very relaxing and comforting. I am definitely coming back here.”
MilkBoy Coffee, which replaced the former Heisman Art Gallery on the corner of Lancaster and Cricket Avenues, has large, red, plush couches and chairs, along with several tables surrounding a stage that can accommodate a full band. Displayed all throughout MilkBoy Coffee is artwork from artists in the Philadelphia area.
“We want to provide a kind of community for students to come together to express their creativity and socialize,” Lokoff said.
The little coffee joint attracted approximately 65 people on March 18, to rock with the band Seth Kallen and the Shambles and to finish the night off with singer Josh Komorowski.
Patrick Jordan, a junior political science major, said, “It’s good that MilkBoy Coffee is so close. I think it’s a good place for a whole group of people to go to and relax.”
MilkBoy also has snacks and drinks to offer. There are various milkshakes, smoothies and drinks. There are also iced coffee, iced tea, lattes, cappuccino and espresso to choose from.
Kuter said, “I really like all the snacks in there. It’s nice to be able to go somewhere and be able to enjoy music and eat some comfort food.”
In addition, MilkBoy Coffee plans to host live acts on Thursdays and Saturdays, with Tuesday nights reserved for open mic nights. Open reel nights for amateur filmmakers to show off their work and poetry slams are also in the planning stages.
MilkBoy Coffee is currently working on creating a First Friday. This event will include the presentation of local art, musical entertainment and possibly the involvement of other venues in Ardmore.
Lizzie O’Connor, the supervisor of MilkBoy Coffee, said, “I’m really looking forward to all the great stuff we are going to have soon.”
Beyond the entertainment aspects, the owners also plan on adding a few new items to their menu. The new items they hope to add include salads, soups and sandwiches.
Laura Goodfield, a freshman biotechnology major, said, “I don’t really like coffee, but everything else MilkBoy has to offer is something I am definitely interested in.”
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Posted to the web by Brandon Edwards
