The Modern House Coffee Shop is returning to its roots in the Titusville neighborhood.

The non-profit coffee house, which hires homeless people to provide them with job training and life skills, is opening Friday September 23rd at its new 422 Sixth Avenue South location.

Bham Now first reported on the new Titusville coffee shop over a year and half ago in early 2020, when owner Troy Whetstone and Seeds Coffee Company announced a joint partnership.

Modern Coffee Decor 2 The Modern House Coffee Shop to open in Birmingham’s Titusville neighborhood on Sept. 23 [PHOTOS] — Modern Coffee Decor 2 ( Ben Johnson / Bham Now)

“So many people believe in what we’re doing,” added Whetstone.

The list of The Modern House partners is long and includes:

Western Communities Redevelopment Alliance
Faith Chapel Care Center
Urban Impact
Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
Design Initiative
Rev Birmingham
And many more community groups and leaders

The Location

Whetstone, whose family lives in Titusville, believes they have chosen a great spot for the coffee shop.

“I was looking for a place, so I was driving back and forth from Sixth Avenue South and then I saw this house. It reminded me of New Orleans,” he told Bham Now.

The location is special. It is near UAB. Across the street is the Birmingham Police Department and Academy. A block or two away—within walking distance—there is Memorial Park, DC BLOX and Golden Flake.

And beginning this week the new Xpress line has a stop less than a block from The Modern House.

Great Food and Coffee

Of course there is the big question. How is the food? If you have ever patronized The Modern House pop-ups, you know Chef Marcus will be serving his specialties:

Waffles
Cinnamon buns
Loaded grits bowl
Pastries, such as blondies, chocolate chip cookies, peanut cookies, red velvet cake and lemon cake

Another homegrown Magic City twist — the coffee is roasted locally from Seeds and the drinks will pay homage to Birmingham with names like Black Barons, Rickwood and Vulcan.

Excitement is Building

The community is very excited about The Modern House coming to Titusville to lead a new renaissance.

“District 6 is excited to welcome a new business,” said Birmingham City Councilor Crystal Smitherman. “This is the perfect location to pick up some coffee on the way to work or study and drink a latte. This will be a place for people to have small gatherings where artists can showcase their spoken word or poetry. Titusville was like the Black Wall Street years ago and this is just the beginning of bringing back black businesses along the Sixth Avenue corridor.”