Nina’s Coffee Cafe

Intellectual café

I had the pleasure of chatting with June the owner of Nina’s Coffee Café.

Nina’s has such a rich history and it’s getting richer.  June shared that this café was created to be “intellectual” space—a spacer were people can come to tap into their creative writing, to study and to engage in intellectual shared space. Nina’s is lauded as a welcoming, writing space for over 700 writers including Garrison Keillor, an author, storyteller, humorist, and creator of the weekly radio show A Prairie Home Companion.

Besides being a great place to meet, read, write, study and engage in intellectual conversation, Nina’s has some of the best oatmeal in town.  I could say “the best” but I have other places to visit.  Although I loved the oatmeal (the perfect amount of sweetness, balanced flavor and texture, fresh blueberries); the side of yogurt was just the added touch to top off a healthy breakfast option. I would have loved a pastry but you must watch your consumption of pastries when you go to coffee shops.

Owner of Nina’s, June, and a member of her team offered this coffee shop etiquette tip:

This space was meant to be shared. Visitors (patrons, customers, guests) should be willing to share a table with another patron; but give that person “space” to do what they are doing…writing, reading, pondering life.  On the other hand, be willing to share your time to engage in conversation with others.  June puts it best this way.  From her time as an elementary school teacher sometimes she would have the children to play with each other; other times she would have the children to work/play alongside each other.

June, and baristas Kelissa and Teresa, thank you for taking time to chat with me today.  This is a pretty busy Tuesday morning; thank you for being so generous and so gracious with your time.

Tip from one of the patrons.

You should be social; you can stay home and drink your coffee.