My Visit to Arterial Coffee
Recently, I met up with a friend who wanted to check out a newer Black owned coffee shop in West Philadelphia called Arterial Coffee. It was actually our first time meeting in person, and I thought, why not?
As soon as I stepped inside, I felt a sense of comfort. The atmosphere was warm, inviting, and relaxed. At the time, I had no idea I would eventually be writing about my experience. I was simply there to enjoy good company, good conversation, and hopefully a good cup of coffee.
My friend had arrived before me and had already ordered. By the time I sat down, they were raving about their drink and encouraging me to try one myself.
After looking over the menu, I decided on a crème brûlée and salted caramel coffee with oat milk, along with a cheese danish.
Both were absolutely delicious.
In fact, I seriously considered ordering a second coffee. The only thing that stopped me was the time of day. It was already late afternoon, and I try my best not to consume too much caffeine after 3 p.m.
As my friend and I talked, the hours seemed to slip away. It was one of those conversations that felt easy and effortless, the kind where you lose track of time.
When we eventually parted ways, I took a few bathroom selfies before leaving. Looking back, it’s funny because I had no intention of writing a blog post. I wasn’t documenting my visit. I wasn’t creating content. I simply loved the dragonfly wallpaper and thought it made for a great photo backdrop.
Sometimes life has other plans.
After sharing my visit on social media, I asked people to recommend their favorite Black owned businesses in Philadelphia. For quite some time, I have wanted to revive this section of my blog and intentionally explore more of the city through the businesses and people that make it special.
As I began researching Arterial Coffee, I discovered something that immediately made me smile.
The shop is family owned by two sisters, Sharla and Sharaine, who are of Jamaican descent.
I was instantly excited.
As someone born and raised in Jamaica, there is always a special feeling that comes with unexpectedly finding a connection to home.
Then I learned something even more beautiful.
The sisters have shared memories of picking coffee cherries alongside their grandmother, who was from St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. Those experiences became their introduction to coffee and helped shape the journey that would eventually lead to Arterial Coffee.
Reading their story immediately transported me back to my own childhood memories.
Growing up in Top Jackson District, Bog Walk, St. Catherine, I experienced the beauty of Jamaica’s agriculture every single day. I basically grew up on a farm. We ate fruit that came straight from our yard, our neighbors’ trees, or the land surrounding us. Mangoes, guineps, june plums, coconuts, and countless other fruits were simply a part of everyday life. Reading about their memories of picking coffee cherries with their grandmother immediately brought back my own childhood memories of enjoying cacao straight from the pod. I can still remember cracking open the fruit and eating the sweet, white pulp surrounding the seeds. It was one of those simple experiences that felt completely ordinary growing up in Jamaica, yet becomes more special the older I get.
It is funny how memories work.
One moment you’re sitting in a coffee shop in Philadelphia, and the next you’re thinking about childhood experiences thousands of miles away.
What started as a casual meetup with a friend turned into something much more meaningful. It became a reminder that our stories travel with us. Sometimes they show up in unexpected places, hidden inside a cup of coffee, a conversation, or a business built on family traditions.
Arterial Coffee may have introduced me to a great cup of coffee, but it also gave me something I wasn’t expecting: a small reminder of home.
And for that reason alone, I know I’ll be back.
If you’re looking for a welcoming coffee shop in West Philadelphia, Arterial Coffee is located at 3100 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. The family owned café is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Whether you’re meeting a friend, looking for a quiet place to work, or simply craving a good cup of coffee, Arterial Coffee is worth adding to your list.
If you stop by, let me know what you order. And if you have another Black owned Philadelphia business I should visit next, send me your recommendation. This journey is just getting started.
