It’s not easy being an independent coffee shop in D.C. While Starbucks and other conglomerates continue to bloom like mushrooms on virtually every block of downtown, several local favorites have closed their doors in the past year. Sparky’s Cafe abruptly shut down; Murky Coffee was seized by the D.C. government for failing to pay taxes; and 14U closed in April with plans to reopen as a handbag boutique/cafe hybrid.

However, one indie coffee house is reversing the trend. Cafe Collage, located at 14th and T Streets NW, reopened this spring. The small Ethiopian cafe was shuttered for several years because of a fire code violation. Neighborhood opposition to the cafe’s liquor license application may have also exacerbated the situation, and the business closed down in order to raise money to build a fire escape.

Today, you can enjoy the view of Cafe Collage’s shiny black fire escape while sipping on a mug of rich Ethiopian coffee. The cafe has a cozy sitting area on the first floor, with overstuffed chairs and an exposed brick fireplace. Cafe Collage also doubles as an art gallery of sorts: Paintings of impossibly long-legged women adorn the tropical yellow and orange walls, lit from above with modern track lighting. The basement level resembles someone’s living room, scattered with a mishmash of couches, chairs, tables, magazines and books. The service is casual and friendly. Between the intimate atmosphere and the free wifi, it is easy to imagine spending many a leisurely afternoon in this relaxing space.