Born in Philadelphia's Gilded Age
Two Philadelphia Stories Worth Bringing Forward
Here's why we're pouring coffee at Lynnewood Hall.
Two landmarks, one era
In 1888, Joseph Horn and Frank Hardart opened a Philadelphia restaurant with 14 stools. On December 19, 1899, Lynnewood Hall opened with a grand gala in Elkins Park. In 1902, Horn & Hardart opened the first Automat at 818 Chestnut Street.
Same city. Same Gilded Age. Both built on the belief that design and craft matter.
Who we are
Horn & Hardart became one of the most recognizable names in American dining, with locations across Philadelphia and New York. It was known for the Automat.
The Automat was a dining room lined with small glass doors. You dropped in coins, opened a door, and took your meal. The rooms were beautiful, the food was good, and everyone was welcome.
The coffee was the star, poured fresh from ornate dolphin-head spouts. Joseph Horn cared so much about it that he visited restaurants unannounced to taste it himself.
Over time, the Automats closed and the name faded. Today, we're bringing Horn & Hardart back.
What connects us
Lynnewood Hall came close to being lost. Years of neglect left its future uncertain. Horn & Hardart faced its own quiet ending.
Both stories are now being written again. At Lynnewood Hall, people are restoring the architecture, craftsmanship, and detail that made the estate extraordinary. At Horn & Hardart, we're restoring a Philadelphia name, starting with the coffee.
Neither revival happens overnight. Both take patience, skill, and people who see a future in what others left behind.
Bring history home
Every bag supports the revival. Click here to explore Automat Coffee. Use code: GILDED for 15% off your order.
