When we first reported, Lamplighter had just opened their coffee shop and our neighborhoods seemed like a good target for their weekly house-roasted coffee bean deliveries (by bike).  Four months later, Lamplighter is swarming with customers, many singing their praises over sandwiches as well as espresso drinks, and ByrdParkers are beating a path across the footbridge to the neighborhood’s new pet restaurant. Yes, it’s the closest place to get a meal or a cup of coffee (from Maplewood and Shields, it’s only1/4 mile to Lamplighter’s front door).

photo from Lamplighter's Facebook page

Other notable items are putting Lamplighter on the map:

• Country Style doughnuts, delivered daily.
• Muffins baked every morning (blueberry and banana nut are both to die for).
• They open at 6am (!) and close at 8pm (7am opening on weekends).
• An art gallery/bathroom.
• Outdoor sitting area.
• An enormous chalkboard wall (and chalk) in a space that can contain even the rowdiest of kids
• A bike rack (the place has kinda been adopted/founded by the bike scene)
• Relative quiet. Generally slow moving traffic.
• An empty bus-barn nearby to contemplate.
• Whoopie-Pies.
• Hangover cure herbal tea.
• A seriously esoteric magazine rack.
• Board games and such.
• A balance of meat and veggie options.
• Low-tech. No Twitter acct. No slick social media marketing. Just a community coffee shop. For instance, they have events, but you have to look on the bulletin board to figure that out. Another reason to visit.
• Free – WIFI
• Enthusiastic and friendly owners: Noelle, Zach, and Jen.

Lamplighter Roasting Company, a cafe opening at Parkwood and Addison, just over the 195 interstate footbridge, is selling coffee subscriptions for $10 per week for a pound of fresh roasted coffee delivered by bicycle.  The story is featured at Richmond Bizsense, and focuses on the new business’s coffee roasting.  However, Lamplighter also has outdoor seating and an extensive sandwich menu on their website. The cafe/roaster plans to open the week of December 14th.