The small-time renaissance of the 900-1100 blocks of Spring Garden Street includes some of the city’s greatest gems including Union Transfer, the Llama Tooth, and Armory East Skate Shop. In February, a new neighbor arrived matching their energy, originality and eccentricity. As one might imagine, Vice Coffee and Tattoos boasts far more than superior grinds from One Village Coffee and cupcakes from East Passyunk’s Ms Goody Cupcakes. This cozy little novelty shop triples as a cafe, library, and tattoo parlor; it’s tricked out with charging stations for every seat and a large, private room for anyone looking to get inked.
If that weren’t enough to pique your curiosity, they also host incredible events: from Stitch ‘n Bitch (a weekly sew/knit/crochet party) to game nights to Lazy Saturday night musical performances. Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Charlie Collazo and Heather DeRussy-Collazo, the space is a cool, offbeat haven for foodies, book nerds, and tattoo enthusiasts.
Philly PR Girl: What inspired you to open the first and only tattoo book library coffee shop in the country? What do these concepts share in common, or how do they play off one another?
Charlie: I’ve had the idea for Vice for over a year now given that it is all of my wife’s passions. The name came from her though given the addictiveness of those items. I enjoy thinking of unique ideas that I would hope customers will enjoy and be comfortable with.
Philly PR Girl: What is your background in the food and beverage industry?
Heather: I had a very simple background in the food industry. Worked a few “chain” jobs. Other than that, I love cooking, experimenting and feeding people. Our bar, The Institute, has been where the bulk of my experience has come from. It was a sink-or-swim thing with Institute. The learning curve was steep, and I made a lot of mistakes along the way. I manage the kitchen there and am responsible for the menus. I’ve been able to bring my love for good food to Vice. My coffee experience is simply that I love coffee. I find both the food and coffee culture in Philly to be very serious. The focus on local, fresh, and artisan here in the city is very strong. You can go anywhere and have locally roasted single origin coffee and food that rivals any “hot” city or area. I think we have one of the best food and coffee scenes on the East Coast.
Philly PR Girl: What challenges did you encounter as a new small business owner, from conception through the shop’s opening?
Charlie: This is our second venture, but it doesn’t get any easier. The biggest thing is everyone saying “You can’t do that, it’s not allowed – having a coffee shop and tattoo studio in the same space.” I spent several weeks reading all the city codes, rules and regulations to make sure we would be able to. The funny thing is, you can as long as you’re taking the appropriate measures. The law doesn’t say you can’t do it, it only says that a tattoo studio and food establishment can’t exist in the same open space. That is why the tattoo portion is completely separated and sealed off in the rear of the building. Unfortunately the city is not small business-friendly; they have gotten better but are still missing the mark. Financially, it is difficult opening any business, and when you factor in the usual bureaucracy and all the various licensing fees and delays, having to wait on things from the city, it could almost break you before you even open.
Philly PR Girl: Where did you get all of the 1,000+ books that make up your library? What are a few of your favorite reads?
Heather: Our library is curated by Joyce Homan, our manager’s partner. We gave Joyce a few ideas as to what we thought our customers would like to read including travel, sci-fi, and tattoo history. Vice has the only pubic tattoo history and interest library of books. It is small, but growing weekly. My personal favorites are the books in our Jewish History section.
Philly PR Girl: You have put on plenty of interesting events in-store. Tell us about some of your recurring and upcoming events at Vice.
Charlie: The First Friday is one that I came up with that cross promotes both businesses since they are only 2 blocks from each other with new artwork every month from guest artists. We also do a beer and whiskey tasting for it every month with reps on hand giving out samples. If you enjoy what you’re sampling, we then have a full tap takeover with that brewery at The Institute and our resident bluegrass band. Other great monthly events are credited to our Manager, Nan. She has been a godsend.
Philly PR Girl: What other unexpected concepts can we expect to see in the future?
Charlie: I’m like a mad scientist, always trying to improve and tweak things. I have a couple Wild E. Coyote Acme Dynamite kits in my closet that I’m working on. I prefer to keep them quiet cause in this business there are very few individuals with original ideas and wouldn’t want to see one of my ideas swooped up before I get a chance to develop it.
The tattoo portion of the shop is still underway. Until then, guests can enjoy specialty drinks like Peanut Butter Mochas and Bourbon Vanilla Lattes while savoring delicious baked goods, taking in a good book or making use of the free Wifi. Stay in the loop with upcoming events by following Vice Coffee on Facebook and Twitter!
