Photo By Jon Hughes

Sitwell's features local artists' work ...

Even in the pre-rush, quiet morning hours, Lisa Storie, Sitwell's Coffeehouse owner, works feverishly, darting behind the shop counter, making drinks, sliding cookies into the oven. She worries about getting the homemade soup made. Outside, she puts out iron-black tables and chairs for smokers, even though it's raining. She makes quite a racket.

Storie jokes with customers about Quentin Tarantino's mental state and new film, Grindhouse, but aside from normal business and lighthearted chatter, there's concern lurking behind her blue eyes. A Clifton dweller and store owner since the '90s, Storie faces difficult decisions ahead involving the renewal of Sitwell's lease.

A bright, unconventional soul, she talks loudly, unafraid to reveal her thoughts amongst the customers. Her artsy look shows in her peculiar style; she wears trademark vintage glasses and her tightly curled yellow hair is vivid. Her fingers are large-knuckled and thick, with barely-nails. She wears a bling-bling cat necklace and a psychedelic red and white polyester shirt.

With a petite figure, her voice is bigger than the small size of her cuffed jeans.

Misfits welcome
Let's back up. In the '80s, Storie worked in European coffeehouses. Returning to the United States, she held various jobs until 1995, when she opened the original Sitwell's at 404 Ludlow Ave.

Back then the shop was literally family-oriented; the school bus dropped Storie's daughter off at Sitwell's in the afternoon.

I knew the original Sitwell's personally. One night many years back I ventured into Clifton, desperate for an artistic atmosphere. My writer friend, William Comparetto, led me down some steep, secretive, creepy stairs, opening the door to the old Sitwell's, a mysterious, shadowy cave. Grinning at my "bottomless cup," I thought, "I'm home. "

Back then the place was dungeon-like, dim and smoky. Glimpsing the artists busily sketching and writing made the scene feel like a living, painting, breathing community. That night I met Storie while admiring her hilarious postcard rack and quirky knick-knack ridden environment.

The store name, a reference to the inventive writer Edith Sitwell, described Storie's individuality as well. An edgy entrepreneur, she noted trends, taking suggestions from the community. Long before everyone had his/her own laptop, Sitwell's was one of the earliest area Internet cafes.

She established a scene, but in 2001 her lease ended. Storie was forced to move, but it worked out. The current location is a sunnier, more open space at 324 Ludlow.

Over the years, Sitwell's has been a haven for artists -- and then some. For seven years Storie hosted Grateful Givings on Thanksgiving. The community donated meals to the shop; anyone was invited for holiday dinner.

"Nobody had to be hungry or alone on Thanksgiving," Storie says. "We got people who lived in the woods and people estranged from their families."

Storie showcased first-time artists' work, supporting young, budding painters. She hosted music acts and poetry slams.

"We get a lot of people writing their books in here," she says.

Along with serious fundraisers, such as for AIDS victims in Africa, Sitwell's also had raucous anniversary parties that were just plain wild. Bollywood was the theme of one party, with men wearing dresses, people making out in the bathroom, magicians and out-of-control dancers. Some were sloppy drunk, others cold sober. Some were gay, bi or hard to tell; others straight. There were loners and street people. All of Clifton's so-called misfits were there, dancing. Many wore costumes, many didn't. Halfway through the night, all drinks were suddenly free. No one was turned away.

Recently, Storie made more changes to suit community needs, beating the no-smoking law. Sitwell's became smoke-free on Jan. 1, 2006.

"I was taking a chance, since many of my regulars were smokers," she says. "You have to listen to customers' suggestions. This is a neighborhood, a community."

New landlord
Sitwell's lease will end in June 2008, and rumors have been flying that the new landlord, John Kanelos, plans to replace it with a Greek restaurant. Kanelos says he's not sure.

"Lisa's got a year and a half lease left," he says. "I don't know yet. It depends. Who knows a year and a half from now? I have some ideas but nothing's definitely for sure. That's a long way off. Right now, I don't know."

Storie says, "I put my heart into it. This is a special place where you don't have to spend a lot of money, and everyone's welcome. For a lot of people in the neighborhood, this is where they come to socialize and relax."

Sitwell's workers have included runaways, some of whom have lived in Storie's home. Many long- and short-term couples, gay and straight, have met at Sitwell's.

"I know most of my customers by name," Storie says. "I know their kids. In some families, there are three generations that come here. I give to the community in a lot of ways. I get my meat and cheese at Findlay Market. I do business with other small businesses, and that creates a fabric."

Photo By Jon Hughes

... and a welcoming atmosphere.

On Ludlow Avenue, there used to be a hardware store, a bookstore, a shoe repair store, a health food store and a family pharmacy.

"As the years go by, the strip becomes less of one where you can walk down the street and get what you need," Storie says.

Above all, she wants to stay here on Ludlow, but she's looking.

"I don't want to leave," she says. "I've created a beautiful space here, and it's perfect, but I'm open to possibilities. I'm looking for another space that's adequate and affordable. As far as small businesses, we're an endangered species."

While cutting it up with the customers, saying hello and goodbye to each one by name, Storie writes on her outdoor blackboard sign with colored chalk, laughing and creating the new daily specials.

"This is my niche," she says. "A community happened by magic here. It created itself." ©