Gallery Espresso

Photo Credit: savannahnow.com
7/17/2013

            I seat myself in an antique wooden chair in front of a small, round, marble topped table, with the soft melody of a song from the Glenn Miller Band playing in the background. With both hands, I’m holding a large round mug, full of “Savannah Fog,” a warm concoction made with Earl Grey Tea. I am happily ensconced in my favorite corner of Gallery Espresso, and from this vantage point, I can see the entire room, and readily sink into the background to enjoy its character.

            Gallery Espresso is a small, locally owned coffee shop in the heart of downtown Savannah. Its central location makes it a hub for college students and business people alike, all stopping to grab one of their handcrafted drinks. The shop is divided into two sections, with a center aisle leading to the bar where drinks and snacks are made. On the floor, there is an odd mix of hard concrete and old black and white tile—presumably, what is left of the original flooring. While one side of the room is filled exclusively with beautiful wooden chairs and tables, the other, larger side has an eclectic mix worn couches and armchairs. All are antique, and all are upholstered in faded, but still vibrant colors. Several chairs are placed beside a gas-log fireplace, which spreads an air of warmth around the room. One feels warm and secure inside, while the large windows that make two of the outer walls give you a glimpse of the cold, dreary drizzle dampening the oak trees outside. The room is dim, as Gallery relies mostly on natural light from the windows, and gray clouds are obscuring the sun. This drizzly, chilly weather is the perfect time to come to Gallery Espresso—it loses some of its charm in a sweltering Savannah summer.

Photo Credit: eweck1.wordpress.com
4/11/2015

Across from me, seated on perpendicular armchairs, are two middle-aged men, deep in conversation. Their topics range from a comparison of the aesthetics of Charleston and Savannah, to their desire that languages be taught to a greater level of fluency in colleges. Adding to the intellectual air is the gallery aspect of the room. The walls are hung with drawings and paintings—usually the work of a single artist—and it is all for sale. The art generally remains on the wall for one month, and then another artist is given the opportunity to showcase their work.  However, not everyone here is an artist or an intellectual; many heads are bent over laptops, and two young women laugh softly over their brimming mugs of coffee. Here, we have a gathering of a community, a representation of all stages of life, in a coffee shop.

As I finish my tea, and return my mug to the counter, I take one last look around. The swing music is still playing quietly, and the clouds are still dimming the room. I take the sense of warmth and peace with me as exit the double doors, out into the adjoining square. I have been to Gallery Espresso many times before, and I will continue to come, lured by the sense of tranquility it exudes.