Give Them a Hand
District Donuts. Sliders. Brew owners open District Hand Pie & Coffee Bar Uptown.
When we first heard from District Donut’s Aaron Vogel back in early fall, he spoke about the concept of Turn Change (Turn profits, Change lives), that he and partners Chris Audler and Stephen Cali developed.
Following this motto, the partners have had continued success and are giving back to the community as a thank you for all the business.
Since their last mention, the District Streetcar food truck has launched and all profits are benefiting CrossRoads NOLA, an organization that provides assistance to foster families living in New Orleans. The District team partnered with Gulf Coast Bank & Trust, who sponsored the complete refurbishment and renovation of the streetcar-turned-food-truck.
In addition to the Streetcar, the team at District recently opened a second brick and mortar location in a tiny shack across the street from Whole Foods Arabella Station.
District Hand Pie & Coffee Bar has taken over the former Velvet coffee bar on Magazine Street. Tabling their donut and sliders concept for this operation, the District team has opted this time for hand pies – think the eclectic love child of a turnover and an empanada.
Each day District Hand Pies and Coffee produces two elevated versions of meat pies, two cream pies and two fruit pies to play sidekick to their beverages. So far flavor options have included plays on Kung Pao chicken, shepherds pie, banana cream, cherry basil,
and blueberry with Creole cream cheese. They have also added cold pressed coffee, green juices, Horchata and Vietnamese coffee to boot. The creativity abounds with these folks.
In addition to the hand pies, the new location features another kind of pie… Pi.
District’s co-owner, Chris Audler worked hard to track down Los Angeles based graffiti writer, WRDSMTH to decorate the interior of District Hand Pies & Coffee Bar. One of the main focal points of the store is the number Pi written in sharpie on white Subway tile in the coffee bar.
Fans of District who find themselves more frequently on the Uptown end of Jefferson Avenue will rejoice in having yet another fun and eclectic option for morning coffee and nibbles. Uptown favorite P’s & Q’s (Pies and Quiches) is just a stones throw away, and Noodle and Pie is just a few short blocks down Magazine toward the park.
To check out the most recent manifestations of Turn Change, visit their website.
District Hand Pies & Coffee Bar is open every day 6am-6pm. 5637 Magazine St. NOLA 70115
