A new kind of java joint

Anthem resident opens furniture store/coffee shop

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Marvin Mangum didn't want to open just any old furniture showroom.

The Anthem resident envisioned a unique space with an eclectic mix of furniture -- picked by whim rather than overall mode -- easily incorporated with a gourmet coffee shop.

And people. Mangum envisioned people everywhere, comfortably sipping coffee drinks and chatting while sitting amid his showroom wares with the relaxed air of having a cappuccino, or a mug of tea, at home.

That's where Mangum hoped House Blend would eventually go.

Now, just four months after opening, Mangum's furniture showroom has already begun to meet his vision.

Located at 790 Coronado Center Drive near Anthem, the shop has a full cafe stocked with Illy coffees and coffee accoutrements -- including cups and demitasse sets, which also are for sale -- that opens into a colorful furniture showroom.

"The coffee brings people in that normally wouldn't stop into a furniture showroom, and once they're here, they can see what we do," Mangum said.

House Blend's cafe component offers various pastries and a full range of espresso, coffee and tea drinks, ranging in price from $1 to about $5. Mangum's cafe products are made with coffee beans from the Illy coffee company.

The business also sells furniture, lighting and accessories for the home, and Mangum said his showroom has become an increasingly popular spot for private parties and business meetings, as well.

"We recently had a wine tasting here, and it worked out really well," he said.

"The group doing the tasting was able to spread the wine and food out on our bigger tables, and then we had all of these other tables and chairs where people could sit and talk.

"You can sit anywhere you like in here -- it's more like being in your living room than a coffee shop."

Greg Shepard works for House Blend's coffee shop, and said he sees a lot of regular customers who are drawn by the coffee and the free wireless Internet access.

"People come in with their laptops in the morning to get their day planned, get things set up while they're having coffee," he said.

"People say they like coming in here to work because it's a business that feels like a home."

Mangum said if larger groups call ahead before coming to House Blend, he'll make sure an area large enough to accommodate the group is set aside.

As for the furniture side of the business, Mangum selects the items for the store with a little help from his wife, Erin.

Most of the items are designed and manufactured in Los Angeles for House Blend, and Mangum said the store also provides custom pieces to local interior designers.

The items featured in the House Blend showroom also can be customized with any finish, and items can be shipped throughout the country.

In addition to the pieces in the House Blend showroom, which include chandeliers made with hand-blown Italian glass, wooden dining room tables with a central leaf that folds into the table, and a giant rectangular ottoman that seats six and comes complete with two sliding wooden table pieces, Mangum also keeps a catalogue with even more selections for customers.

"When we're ordering things, it's just a mix of what we like," he said. "We don't just carry modern pieces, or just traditional pieces. Whatever style something is, we'll carry it if we like it."

Once he gets adjusted to running a coffee shop and furniture showroom in one, Mangum hopes to expand and open more House Blend locations.

"We just wanted to do something different. We wanted to create a relaxing, fun, comfy environment," he said. "If we can sell our customers some furniture, that's great. If not, we want them to come back every day for coffee anyway."