wednesday,july 3, 2013 - County Times - Southern Maryland Online

The County TimesWednesday, July 3, 2013 8Coffee Housewith a Secret OpensDeitz & WatsonHot Dog Cart with50¢ Hot DogsIce Cold Soda or Beer ONLY $1. FREE Popcorn,Snow Cones, and Free Face Painting.Enter to win prizes given away all day bothdays including a $25 McKay’s Gift Certificate,Pizza’s, Subs and more.FREE Wine Tastingboth Friday July 5thfrom 4-7 andSaturday July 6thfrom 12-4.Kellie Hutchins, a barista at Behind The Bookcase Coffee Bar in Leonardtown shows off some of the newspeakeasy’s artwork.By Guy LeonardStaff WriterBTB Coffee Bar in Leonardtownseems to have a dual identity — by dayit’s a homey coffee shop that serves bagels,fruit and even breakfast casserole amongother things but by night things change.A secret door at the back wall of thesmall coffee shop — it’s been styled tolook like a bookcase — opens up to reveala replica speakeasy reminiscent of ProhibitionEra days when liquor, restricted by theVolstead Act, was consumed in dark roomsand clandestine hideaways.The small speakeasy even has a wallportrait of old Chicago mob boss Al Caponebehind the bar and sports gangsterthemed tavern food like Machine GunKelly’s Steak and Shroom Sliders and BugsMoran’s crab dip.Brad Brown, the owner of the newcafé, said he got his inspiration from visitingNew York City.“I visited a lot of cool speakeasies inNew York City and I thought Leonardtownwould be a great fit,” Brown said. “It defi-Photo by Guy Leonardnitely needs it.”The new cafe and bar is one of the onlyshops in Leonardtown that stays open until10 p.m. Brown said but it’s small size andyesteryear atmosphere means its not designedfor socialization in the modern sense.He advises customers to take their cellphones and other electronic gear, turn themoff and let the cozy atmosphere of the speakeasyhelp them relax.There won’t be any rock and roll here,he said, rather it will be classic tunes likethose of Frank Sinatra and music from the1920’s.“It’s an atmosphere for absolute relaxation,”he said.Reservations are encouraged but notnecessary as the speakeasy only accommodates25 people at a time with five tables.The new shop has only been open abouta week, Brown said, but he is pleased withthe way Leonardtown has come out to supportit.“It’s been very responsive,’ Brown said.guyleonard@countytimes.netDollar General NowOpen in MechanicsvilleThe county’s third Dollar General store opened June 27.Photo by Angie Stalcup