Early this spring, the French Quarter welcomed Addiction, a much-needed new locale for community-minded caffeine junkies.

Tucked away on Iberville, the welcoming coffee shop has a back story that’s quintessentially New Orleans: one of serendipity, repurposing, and love.

It all began in Philadelphia a little over four years ago, when business owner, photographer, and coffee-fiend David Taffet found himself in dire need of a change of life. On a leap of faith, he caved to a friend’s repea...