Happy 2nd Anniversary, Steeplechase!

Steeplechase Coffee celebrates its second anniversary at 3013 Fort Hamilton Pkwy today, July 9.

Lynn McKee and her husband, Keith, moved from South Slope to Kensington when they were expecting twins. Though they were happy to have more space, they missed their regular visits to Southside Coffee, owned by their friends Ben and Josh. Lynn and Keith daydreamed about opening up their own coffee shop, a gathering place for Kensington, but had no firm plans to carry through until Lynn happened upon the perfect location.

How It All Began
After the twins were born, Lynn would strap them into the stroller and walk. And walk. And walk. She regularly walked by Brancaccio’s, drawn by deliciousness. The storefront next to Brancaccio’s was available, so Lynn placed a preliminary call. One thing led to another, and when the twins were 8 months old, she and Keith signed a lease. Four months later, around the twins’ first birthday, Steeplechase was born.

Steeplechase is a partnership between Lynn and Keith. Her eyes brighten with Keith walks into the room, and she praises him whether he is there or not.

“We work well together and complement each other,” Lynn said as she pointed out the improvements Keith has built in the short time they’ve been open: the one-of-a-kind bread display complete with a unique baguette holder; the display for retail coffee; hanging art.

In addition to Steeplechase, Keith works 40 hours a week as a steamfitter. He’s also active with his twins and excited that they’ll soon attend the same Windsor Terrace elementary school he went to as a child.

Lynn has her own set of strengths. She has put together a strong barista team who are loyal to and growing with Steeplechase. “Customers like consistency,” Lynn explained about her goal of keeping her team together. Of course as a business owner, Lynn never wants turnover, and she thinks the customers appreciate the familiarity as well.

How Does She Do It
Lynn compared opening a small business to motherhood. “As a mom, you’re already working all the time,” Lynn said. “This [Steeplechase] is really no different. You just have to stay organized.”

Organized she is, though Lynn doesn’t consider, day-to-day, that she is doing an extraordinary amount of work. “If you like what you do, you just keep doing it,” Lynn said about her busy days.

As if caring for toddler twins and a young coffeehouse wasn’t enough, Lynn is also studying for a Masters in Education from Brooklyn College.

“I only have one life and there are all these things I want to do,” she said.

Computers Versus Strollers
Many coffee shops struggle with identity: Are they a place for freelancers to write the Great American Novel? Or are they a place for stroller moms to congregate pre-nap? Steeplechase successfully bridges both lifestyles.

“I come here to write my papers for school,” Lynn explained. “I want other people to be able to come in here and write, too.”

Additionally, Lynn and Keith bring the twins in to Steeplechase for a warm, toasted bagel every weekend. This is also an experience they want other neighborhood families to enjoy. Because Lynn and Keith use Steeplechase the same way as their customers, they’re able to create one space that is comfortable for laptops and strollers.

About The Food
Lynn loves Terrace Bagels, and knew from the beginning she’d have them at Steeplechase. “There is nothing better than a good toasted bagel with cream cheese,” Lynn said. “And the best bagels are Terrace bagels. I”ll always carry them.”

In addition, she carries pastries from Amy’s Bread and Margo Patisserie. Interestingly, sandwich bread and baguettes aren’t typically sold in coffee shops, but they are, thankfully, at Steeplechase. Kensington had no obvious place to buy good, crusty bread until two years ago.

“There was no place around here to get good bread, and since I was already getting pastries, there was no reason not to get bread as well,” Lynn said.

“But, I’ll never carry brownies,” she added. “Brancaccio’s bakes the best brownies, and I’ll never compete with that. I buy his brownies almost every day.”

Featuring Local Artists
“I knew from the beginning I wanted to showcase artists who were ready to show their work,” Lynn said. Artists typically approach Lynn or Keith about displaying work at Steeplechase, and the shop normally hosts a gallery opening for the artist. The art is displayed for an agreed amount of time.

The current artist, Richard Kantor, had his work installed on June 25. Much of his art talks about post 9/11 struggles.

If you’re an artist with a body of work, contact Steeplechase. In the meantime, stop by for a latte and admire Richard Kantor’s art.

Brew It And They Will Drink
Lynn and Keith created a place they missed and craved in Steeplechase. They offer their creation for all of Kensington to enjoy and we have come, with our strollers and laptops, to sip coffee and enjoy a communal living room.

Happy anniversary Steeplechase, and many more to come!

Steeplechase Coffee is located at 3013 Fort Hamilton Pkwy, between 2nd and 3rd Sts, 347-799-2640. They’re open Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm, and Saturday-Sunday, 8am-7pm.