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Danilo Gonzalez opened the Art Place Wynwood five years ago, a time when the neighborhood boasted more drab warehouses than posh galleries and specialty cafés. But things have changed a lot since then. Now the arts district is home to trendy restaurants, bars, and shops.
“The transformation of Wynwood is forcing everyone to change. And I think it’s good to change with the neighborhood,” says Gonzalez.
So the gallery owner has expanded his art space to include a café, an affordable spot that fills a gap in the burgeoning area.
“Lunch is always like 10 or 15 dollars [in Wynwood]. No one is thinking about the people who work in the area — like the starving artists who pay high rent,” he says. “So I decided to open a place where people can come in and have lunch for 5 bucks. With 6 dollars, you can have a good meal.”
Located on the corner of NW Second Avenue and 27th street, Wynwood Café sells sandwiches, smoothies, and coffee. Sandwiches include a grilled cheese with a choice of mozzarella, brie, or provolone for $2 and a prosciutto rendition — stuffed with tomato, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil — for just 3 bucks.
Gonzalez proffers other varieties like the veggie ($3), turkey breast ($3), and four cheese ($4). Want a drink? Pick from $3 smoothies, made with banana, blueberry, and strawberries, $2.50 cappuccinos, or $3 mochaccinos.
So far, the coffee shop has been a success. “People are liking the idea, so we’re trying to get better every day,” says Gonzalez. “We’re working on getting the space functional for service. Because we are actually just a gallery with a little coffee shop.”
Gonzalez hopes to host Wynwood Café’s grand opening during the upcoming art walk.
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