The Oracle

Issue date: 11/10/09 Section: Local

Media Credit: Mikayla Moffet

Sometimes, the quiet can get to you. Other times, you just need to get away, maybe because your roommate is singing a notch off-key in the shower or your neighbor has decided that the prime time for your creativity would also be an excellent time to scream obscenities at the television.

Whatever the reason, aspiring writers or other creative individuals have found solace in local coffee shops.

NINA'S COFFEE CAFE

Hardly noticeable among the new hip restaurants and shops on the intersection of Selby Avenue and Western Avenue, there is a place known throughout the Twin Cities as a refuge for writers. Nina's Coffee Café (pronounced Ny-NAH) is an independently-owned coffee shop, complete with a bookstore located underneath its premises.

According to employee Nel Besser, Nina's hosts poetry slams, book clubs and writing groups. Writers have also come to do readings at Common Good Bookstore, which is located in the basement.

"Between the [coffee shop and bookstore], the goal is definitely to support local writing … and creativity in general," Besser said.

Besser said Nina's has hosted three poetry readings in the last month. She also said that at least five writing groups - writers who meet up to discuss, share and critique each others' work -frequent Nina's.

The artwork, which completely covers the walls, is all local and rotates monthly, she said.

Employee Lindsay Schleicher has worked for Nina's for about two and a half years. She said she thinks writers and artists prefer the unique atmosphere.

"It helps that it's an old neighborhood with some history to it," Schleicher said.

The next event at Nina's will be a benefit for an employee who was in an accident and will feature live music, new artwork and poetry readings on Saturday, Nov. 21. For more information, call 651-292-9816.

THE GIG

Hamline MFA graduate Satish Jayaraj said he goes to coffee shops to write quite frequently. His favorite haunt, The Gig, is located inside of Cheapo Records on Snelling Avenue.

"It's a change of scenery from my own place," Jayaraj said. "It has a very soft atmosphere."

According to employee Tyler Liedman, The Gig opened in early 2008 when Cheapo Records moved across the street in order to expand. In addition to providing a larger selection of music, the owners o f Cheapo also decided to remodel and added a coffee shop to the front of the store. Thus, The Gig was born.

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