Photos by Holly Le

Today’s grand opening at Big Chair Coffee n’ Grill might be the most highly anticipated new business event in River East in years. Dozens of curious customers dropped by the soft opening on Saturday to check the place out. There wasn’t a whole lot to see yet: No sign, no food. But before Big Chair even opened its doors, it was already building a scene.

Even Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry stopped in to see how the first cafe in MLK Avenue SE was shaping up. As it happens, he takes a French-vanilla latte. He was joined by Ward 5 ANC commissioner Jacqueline Manning (hazelnut latte). Barry and Manning sipped their coffees at the bar while Barry listened to residents and petitioners. He explained that the cafe used to be a plumbing store. The Councilmember was in good spirits. When Manning dapped at his beard with a napkin, Barry playfully licked at her fingers.

It isn’t Big Chair’s coffee that has people excited — not exactly. It’s the location. It’s the, well, the Big Chair out front. It’s the neighborhood and the difficulty it has experienced drawing business. Ward 8 activist and MLK Day Parade chair Don Wright explained with a wink that Big Chair is “for us, by us.”