The Coop: Bringing Sandos, Cocktails, And a Mini Ferris Wheel To NoPo

When it comes to restaurant offerings, the Arbor Lodge neighborhood doesn't boast a SE Division Street, or even a Dekum Triangle, but The Coop hopes to change all that. Expected to open mid-September at 6214 N Interstate Ave, The Coop will be a 40-plus-seat restaurant run by Solomon Florea, Cherie Long (Florea's life and cooking partner), and Berni Pilip (Florea's mom).

The Coop will serve lunch and dinner, and while its menu is under development, Florea says it will include rotisserie meats (chicken, brisket, and baby back ribs); sides like cucumber salads, seasonal pasta salads, and macaroni and cheese; and a roster of sandwich's greatest hits, including bánh mìs, Cubanos, cheesesteaks, and clubs. Beer, wine, and a few specialty cocktails made with infused liquors will be available.

Florea is personally refurbishing the restaurant space, and upgrades include a bar of galvanized aluminum, hand-fashioned light fixtures, a metal rooster tail sculpture, a motorized miniature Ferris wheel, and a large, 24-foot-by-30-foot backyard deck. The deck, Florea says, is just one part of a giant, recently landscaped backyard, and the idea of horseshoe pits has been bandied about with other backyard games.

Construction is essentially complete, Florea told Eater by phone. Now, it's all a matter of getting the right permits.

The Coop: 6214 N Interstate Ave.