South Lamar Historic Landmark Undergoes Coffee Shop Switcheroo

The South Austin historic landmark building that currently houses Stonehouse Coffee + Bar on 1105 South Lamar Boulevard will see a new tenant starting this week. San Antonio-based coffee shop Merit Coffee is taking over the Zilker space starting on Monday, February 11.

There was no reason given for the shuttering of Stonehouse. FBR Management opened the coffee shop in March 2017, taking over the previously neglected Dawson Stone House under the approval of the Historic Landmark Commission.

The Dawson Stone House most likely dates back to 1900 by Mary and Nannie Dawson as part of the South Heights expansion of the city.

Merit’s menu will remain the same, with coffee, espresso, teas, and juices. For food, Bakery Lorraine will provide baked goods like pop tarts and Tacodeli with tacos. This will be Merit’s second location in Austin.

Merit Coffee founders Robby and Neesha Grubbs, plus partner and chief financial officer Bill Ellis, opened the first Austin location in January 2018 in the Seaholm District in downtown. Originally, the cafe opened as Local Coffee but changed the name in December 2017.

Merit South Lamar’s hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

• New Coffee Bar Revives Neglected Historic Landmark [EATX]
• All Coverage of Stonehouse Coffee + Bar [EATX]
• All Coverage of Merit Coffee [EATX]