Located on the corner of King Street East and Walnut, Studio 205's warm visuals invoke curiosity for wandering window shoppers. When Melanie and Vito Amato designed Studio 205, it was with an eye for handmade gifts, coffee and tea, and treats. Visitors are met by whimsical dream catchers and macramé planters swaying in the sunny display window. Inside steps tools are stacked with plush crochet pillows, and antique treasure trunks are topped with knitted blankets and children’s books.
Stepping into the split-level space, an aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the lofty room. Wiry amaretto fixtures suspend from the ceiling, casting a dim hue over the espresso bar, while natural sunlight drenches the store’s white walls and pinewood furnishings. Gracie, a portly golden retriever, sprawls across the honey-wood floors, while Mom Judy (the pastry supplier) delivers a homemade pumpkin loaf.
Make no mistake, this isn’t an ordinary café. In fact, Studio 205 is primarily a gift shop and workshop; the lattes and cookies are intended to enhance the shopping experience. “Whenever my husband Vito and I travel or shop, we always grab a coffee before we browse," explains Melanie. "We decided that that was what we wanted to do and so, we learned how to do it."
