Recently I stopped into The Monkey & The Elephant Café (MANDE), Philadelphia’s first not-for-profit café founded by Lisa Miccolis, in the Brewerytown section of Philadelphia on the 2800 block of Girard Avenue. Known for its freshly made paninis, locally baked treats and coffee, tea and more, MANDE is a hub of activity. MANDE also carries with it social awareness.
With every sip of coffee or bite of a delicious sandwich, your purchase supports former foster care youth. Individuals who “age-out” of the foster care system are often at-risk for experiencing incarceration, homelessness and dependence on social welfare systems. The MANDE mission is to fortify former foster care youth by teaching job and life skills over a 10-month period for an independent lifestyle. So far, the café has 100% post-program employment and housing.
The café is staffed with young men and women who are learning social and culinary skills; developing their self-awareness, self-reflection and self-esteem; and acquiring tangible life skills like goal setting, time management, conflict resolution and budgeting. Aside from the café manager, there is also a case manager on-site who helps to oversee and direct the employees.
The former foster youth are given tools for rebirth in an area of the city that itself is undergoing a rebirth. Long ago, Brewerytown was a bustling area where beer manufacturers from Germany set up breweries. Today, in its 35-acre neighborhood north of the Fairmount section, there are renovated Victorian homes, new buildings and businesses.
I observed many locals set up office or have a meeting, all while sipping on steamy hot beverages to embrace the soul. An upstairs meeting room is warm and cozy and can be reserved for special occasions or gatherings.
The menu is simple yet provides a lovely array of locally made provisions with baked goods, coffee and teas, nut butters and more. Coffee selections at the café vary, as several local coffee roasters often donate coffee to the shop or sell it to the cafe at discounted prices. On one visit, coffee was provided by Square One Coffee of Lancaster, a family-owned specialty coffee roaster whose blends are delicious.
The menu offers light fare that includes barista-made coffee, “not coffee,” muffins, granola, paninis and housemade baked goods. Prices are reasonable; a cappuccino is $3.25, and for $4.75 you can wrap your hands around a panini (my husband enjoyed a fig, smoked Gouda and arugula sandwich). I kept it simple (and vegan) with a whole wheat English muffin “schmeared “ with almond butter (supplied by our friends at PB & Jams) and fresh apples.
I’ve been to the café several times, and my favorite spot is the front window table where you can watch the day of pass by or measure time by SEPTA’s watch and the schedule of the number 15 Girard Avenue trolley. While lost in thought, let your next cup of coffee serve purpose in helping a young man or woman become a solid and productive citizen. Your order at the counter of the Monkey and Elephant Café just might help to change someone’s life. If you can’t make it to the café, you can make a tax-deductible donation online, another great way to support this nonprofit organization
5 Things You Need to Know About The Monkey & The Elephant Café
- Its name is based on the tale from India about the monkey and elephant, a tale of strength and agility.
- When you go, take quarters because the parking kiosk system hasn’t arrived to Brewerytown just yet.
- You can purchase pound bags of coffee, jars of jam, nut butters and handcrafted pottery mugs. Each mug is uniquely designed and made by employees.
- A coffee and a sandwich will cost you less than $10—and it’s totally delicious.
- The bi-level building was once owned by the Lein family, a prominent family of Brewerytown. Their name still appears on the store’s marquee etched in stained glass.
Find The Monkey & The Elephant at 2831 West Girard Ave. in Philadelphia; phone: (267) 457-5334.
- Photos: Char Nolan
