Chef Kristi Brown’s new permanent location in the Central District was a long time coming. Part of the the initiative by Africatown and Community Roots Housing (formally Capital Hill Housing) to battle the rapid gentrification of the 23rd & Union intersection, they selected local and black owned business to be the retail tenants of the Liberty Bank Building. Communion has been years in the making, guided the decades of combined experience from Kristi and her son Damon to perfect the layout and design for a space that is all at once refined, comfortable, fresh and functional. The highlights of the space include: dark stained ash tables and counters set against bright “Pacific Ocean Blue” bar face and banquette, black leather upholstery, a copper bar top and a salvaged mirrored cabinet modified into a custom back bar. Copper ceiling tiles make up two clouds in the dining area, and looks on to the open kitchen and tiled cookline. The custom stencil at the entry reminds each visitor “I am home.”