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Hiram Haines' Coffee and Ale House: A Petersburg Eatery with an Unusual History
By Nikki Madures
Driving through Petersburg, the last thing I expected to see was a painting of
Edgar Allan Poe and his bride, Virginia Clemm, mounted on the side of a
building. Although unexpected, the author’s image intrigued me. Drawing closer, I noticed that it marked the Hiram Haines’ Coffee and Ale House.
The building opened in 1814 as a luxury hotel, but Petersburg poet, Hiram
Haines, converted the real estate into a literary hotspot in 1829. What Haines called the Haines’ Coffee House boasted an impressive clientele of poets and journalists. Poe even had his honeymoon in one of the upper floors above the coffee house in its final year of operation, 1836. One hundred and seventy four years later, the current owner, Jeff Abugel reopened the coffee house in 2010. His vision was to restore the old building and “recreate a place that Poe had visited often.” Simultaneously, Abugel wanted to create a retreat for his patrons that offered an alternative to crowded chain restaurants.
Driving through Petersburg, the last thing I expected to see was a painting of
Edgar Allan Poe and his bride, Virginia Clemm, mounted on the side of a
building. Although unexpected, the author’s image intrigued me. Drawing closer, I noticed that it marked the Hiram Haines’ Coffee and Ale House.
The building opened in 1814 as a luxury hotel, but Petersburg poet, Hiram
Haines, converted the real estate into a literary hotspot in 1829. What Haines called the Haines’ Coffee House boasted an impressive clientele of poets and journalists. Poe even had his honeymoon in one of the upper floors above the coffee house in its final year of operation, 1836. One hundred and seventy four years later, the current owner, Jeff Abugel reopened the coffee house in 2010. His vision was to restore the old building and “recreate a place that Poe had visited often.” Simultaneously, Abugel wanted to create a retreat for his patrons that offered an alternative to crowded chain restaurants.
The authentic yet rustic environment of the new coffee house includes a playful, yet reasonably priced, Poe-themed menu and a list of quirky special events each week. Sitting down for my lunch, I took a moment to absorb this unique environment. The walls are covered with portraits of countless authors and Poe-themed art. Bookshelves define the perimeters of the room and are stocked with books the restaurant offers for sale. My waiter, noticing my interested eye, suggested that I walk to the back of the restaurant and check out the upper floors. Through an antique glass window, I could see the rooms where Edgar Poe and Virginia Clemm spent their honeymoon. I was thrilled to find that this piece of history was intact and was still musing about times long past when I sat down to eat my ‘Poe Panini.’
The Poe Panini, a signature item at this restaurant, is a sandwich with ham, pulled pork, Swiss cheese, a dill pickle, and honey mustard on a grilled Ciabatta roll.
Although the combination was a bit unusual, I must confess that it was delightful. My meal, drink included, was under ten dollars. The menu is incredibly unique, well crafted, and surprisingly affordable. Abugel and his wife, Beverly, designed the menu to be “healthy and delicious” using “recipes [they] had discovered through the years.”
The restaurant also hosts live music each weekend and the occasional private party. The coffee house also has an antique player piano and invites able guests to
provide live piano music. An upcoming event on Saturday, July 20, Poe’s Beach Blanket Bingo, will feature beach decor and surf music by a band called The
Embalmers.
According to the owner, the small, intimate environment of the coffee house “is a throwback to another time.” It offers a truly unparalleled experience for those who love local restaurants with a vibrant flair of individuality and culture.
The Poe Panini, a signature item at this restaurant, is a sandwich with ham, pulled pork, Swiss cheese, a dill pickle, and honey mustard on a grilled Ciabatta roll.
Although the combination was a bit unusual, I must confess that it was delightful. My meal, drink included, was under ten dollars. The menu is incredibly unique, well crafted, and surprisingly affordable. Abugel and his wife, Beverly, designed the menu to be “healthy and delicious” using “recipes [they] had discovered through the years.”
The restaurant also hosts live music each weekend and the occasional private party. The coffee house also has an antique player piano and invites able guests to
provide live piano music. An upcoming event on Saturday, July 20, Poe’s Beach Blanket Bingo, will feature beach decor and surf music by a band called The
Embalmers.
According to the owner, the small, intimate environment of the coffee house “is a throwback to another time.” It offers a truly unparalleled experience for those who love local restaurants with a vibrant flair of individuality and culture.
