With the hopes of bringing revitalization to his section of Dawson Street, Wilmington businessman Tim Kenny has transitioned his space from a former nightclub to what is likely one of the largest coffeehouses in eastern North Carolina.

Morning Glory Coffee House, located at the corner of 15th and Dawson streets, is a 4,500-square-foot café with a full coffee bar and plenty of gathering space. There are four or five lounge areas in addition to a centrally located common area. There is also a conference room that can accommodate 25-30 people and a fully outfitted office suite with room for six. Both the conference room and the office suite can be reserved by the hour, day or even for the week if necessary.

“I found when scouting out other coffeehouses, that the main thing most of them were lacking was space,” Kenny said.

Kenny’s space, which he purchased in 2005, also has a professional sound stage and he plans to book live acoustic and jazz performances in the early evenings Thursday through Saturday. He says that he’s already received several requests to use the large common area, which was previously a dance floor, for dance lessons such as salsa and merengue.

“We certainly have the space,” Kenny said. “And if that brings people in, then I’m all for it.”

In addition to the full line of specialty coffee drinks, frappes and smoothies that are available now, Kenny also plans to create hand-crafted sodas from vintage recipes.

“These are the types of sodas you used to find at the soda fountains years ago,” Kenny said. “Things like egg creams and black and white sodas.”

As for his hopes for the neighborhood, Kenny said he’s been inspired by the growth and development along Castle Street. He hopes to be among the first to begin bringing new business interests to the Dawson Street corridor.

Morning Glory Coffee House is currently open Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Hours will be adjusted for live music and other events.

Morning Glory Coffee House is located at 1415 Dawson St.

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