By JODI WESTRICK
Observer Staff
Jan. 23, 2008

Nestled along the 1300 block of H Street NE and just steps away from the popular Rock & Roll Hotel, SOVA Espresso and Wine has made a niche for itself as a neighborhood-friendly coffee shop along the revitalizing corridor.

The area, which has recently come alive with the addition of new restaurants, such as Dr. Granville Moore’s Brickyard, popular bars and music venues, seemed like a “natural fit” for a new coffee house, according to owner Frank Hankins.

Hankins, who has resided in the Near North neighborhood for nine years, has followed the development of H Street since the city began its “Great Streets” planning initiative in 2001. He felt the community needed a place where neighbors could gather and meet one another.

Observer photo by JODI WESTRICK.
SOVA Espresso and Wine owner Frank Hankins.

“This neighborhood just really wanted a good coffee house where they could come and meet with neighbors and friends,” Hankins said. “It’s most gratifying on a Saturday morning when neighbors come in and are just now meeting each other here. It’s also nice to know that people from other places are able to come here and see what H Street has to offer.”

Hankins purchased the building at 1359 H Street in October 2006 after another local entrepreneur on the street, Joe Englert, let him know the business was for sale. The previous owner tried to use the space for a coffee house as well, but Hankins believes the business came to the area too early for it to succeed.

Other entrepreneurs have found it difficult to find success in the area as well. Investors are hesitant to loan money to new business owners because the area is still in the early stages of revitalization. Hankins, who funded the project himself, noted that certain setbacks with the District of Columbia government could also potentially hurt young business owners. SOVA opened three to five months later than Hankins would have liked – a factor that normally could hurt a new business looking to make payments on investments.

Despite the later start, Hankins noted that Ward Six council member Tommy Wells was crucial in getting his business off the ground, and advice from Englert – who owns a number of businesses on the street – really helped in the planning process.

Observer photo by JODI WESTRICK.
Krysta Curl and Jenn Bonsall enjoy the atmosphere at SOVA.

The interior of the coffee shop reflects the amount of time and effort that was put into it. The main floor consists of a coffee bar with all the amenities, a large, picturesque window with window seats, and a back room with couches and a flat-screen TV for guests to relax and catch up with one another, or simply lose themselves in whatever is playing on screen. The rooms are decorated in warm reds and copper tones, and the back room features a relaxing green design and oversized coffee tables lined with local publications. Head upstairs and you’ll find more of the same. Another area awaits a future wine bar, an amenity Hankins believes will benefit the neighborhood. He hopes to receive his liquor license by February.

“I’m clearly the beneficiary of having two unique spaces or two different spaces on two different floors, that were just perfectly suited for having two separate bars,” Hankins said. “With the theaters and with the other nightlife that’s around here, I felt it would be a perfect compliment for the types of bars that Joe [Englert] is doing, but at the same time, going back to that alternative of filling a void, where the theater goers may want to come and have a glass of wine, as opposed to going to see sword swallowers or flame throwers at the Palace of Wonders before a show.”

Before opening the coffee shop, Hankins researched the idea thoroughly, then began meeting with “coffee people” and visiting trade shows. He modeled his business plan after the success of neighborhood Starbucks, which rely on repeat customers to maintain business. He hopes to create a place that neighbors in the area come back to not just for the community, but also for good coffee.

SOVA currently features Intelligentsia Coffee, based out of Chicago, which works with coffee bean farmers throughout the process.

“They really work with all the farmers to make sure that they have all the types of benefits that you would hope for,” Hankins said.

And the most popular drink at SOVA?

“The latte is a pretty popular coffee drink,” barista Lance Modard said. “It’s probably one of the most popular coffee drinks here and at other coffee shops as well.”

SOVA is open from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.