The owner of a new Gardnerville coffee house said he felt it would be better than a bar because it's a good way for people of all ages to get together.
"That's originally what coffee houses were all about - a place to meet people," John Luoma said.
He and his wife Ashley own Shady Grove Coffee Co. located at 1411 Highway 395 in Gardnerville.
"We are proud to bring our fellow residents back to the heart of the coffee house," Luoma said.
The new coffee house features artisan roasted organic coffees from small, independent farmers. Whole or freshly-ground beans are available for sale and pastries are provided by the Truckee Bagel Co.
An open mic night is already a popular weekly event at Shady Grove. It starts at 6 p.m. on Fridays and provides entertainment for all ages.
Children and adults take part in poetry readings, board games, and free Internet access at Shady Grove Coffee Co.
"Kids can come here with their parents," said Luoma. "They come in here, grab a bagel and make a lap around the place."
Shady Grove has a community book exchange room and a separate reading room with books for children and adults.
The Luomas are from Portland, Ore., and didn't know much about Carson Valley until Ashley applied for a teaching job at Douglas High School four years ago.
She interviewed for the job in April of that year, they bought a house in July and she started work as a French teacher in August. John Luoma graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, in business management.
Ashley Luoma said they feel at home here.
"We like to go up to the mountains and to San Francisco," she said. "We do a lot of events through the school."
The Luomas are co-organizing a fundraising event with Douglas High's service learning class to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Carson Valley at 6:30 p.m. April 8. The $3 admission for the open mic night goes toward the foundation.
Shady Grove Coffee Co. is at 1411 Highway 395 in Gardnerville. Their regular hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the weekends.
Open mic night starts at 6 p.m. on Friday.
For information, call 782-8000.
What: Shady Grove Coffee Co.
Where: 1411 Highway 395, Gardnerville
When: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends
open mic night on Fridays, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Info: 782-8000
Special Event:
What: open mic night at Shady Grove Coffee Co. to benefit Boys & Girls Club
Where: 1411 Highway 395, Gardnerville
When: 6:30 to 11 p.m. April 8
Info: 782-8000
