Opening a coffee shop to scratch 'the itch'

Lombard Cafe, which opened last month across from Mother Bethel AME at Sixth and Lombard Streets, is a sweet little corner spot - a bright living room for its Society Hill neighbors with comfy furniture and interesting tchotchkes.

It's also a side project for Matthew Lattanzio, a real estate agent. He says he "had the itch to get into the restaurant business, but I didn't want to get in way over my head. This is an equal medium."

Lattanzio did the renovations himself; its previous occupant was a coffee shop modestly called I AM COFFEE.

He's selling La Colombe coffee and pastries from Kermit's Bake Shoppe. Cheese and produce from the Italian Market go into the light menu, which includes sandwiches.

It's open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends.