With the demise of so many local bookstores and coffee houses, hangout places to meet and talk are becoming scarce. Places like Dori’s Tea Cottage and Mountain Sage in Groveland and Schnoogs in Sonora, where locals relax and stay awhile are dear to my heart.

I’ve been working on a short story collection where a place is a character. The place is the Beanpunk Café  where the hammered copper double doors at the front swing open and shut all day, letting in heavy hot air to do battle with the hard working desert cooler.

Exotic coffees, like pewter mugs of m.u.d.–a coffee blend of Mbeya, Urubamba and Djimah beans–and artful layers of espresso and whiskey served in depression era glass demitasse cups are on the menu, along with sweet b’nilla freeze for the tykes.

At the Beanpunk Café, Pastor Jerry keeps regular hours at a corner table; shy barista Solomon moons over Perfect Match Dating Service dropout  Jaye;  acerbic Kaye gives advice to all comers; down-and-outer Elle manages her way out of a tough situation; and out-of-work Em checks in daily to drop a filched teabag into a free cup of hot water and scan The Press want ads.

The story that started it all resurfaced in this month’s TWJ Magazine.  It’s a quick read: Pastor Jerry and Jesus at the Beanpunk Café 

Readers, What is your favorite place to hang out with book or a friend?  Writers, have your created a fictional hangout place in any of your stories?