London Coffee House (Philadelphia)

It was the scene of political and commercial activity, and also served as a place to inspect black slaves recently arrived from Africa and to bid for their purchase at public auction.

[1][2] Opened by William Bradford in 1754, the London Coffee House was built with funds provided by more than 200 Philadelphia merchants, and it soon became their meeting place.

At the London Coffee Shop, merchants, ship masters, and others talked business and made deals that they often sealed with nothing more than a simple handshake.

The governor of Pennsylvania and other colonial officials also frequented the coffee house, where they held court in their own private booths.

In 1791, unable to weather the economic hardship, the London Coffee House was converted into a residence and general store.