The Bean Scene--a rememberance
At our church small group last night, I found out that one of our local coffee shops, the Bean Scene, had shuttered up for good. The Bean Scene opened up about four years ago in a former Burger King--fitting for north Minneapolis. They offered award winning coffee and passable food. More notably, it's been a community center of sorts. I've seen most of our local and national politicians there (Councilman Don Samuels, Representative Keith Ellison, and Mayor R.T. Rybak), it's hosted community events like poetry slams, and in general it was just a good place to network and meet people. For me, it was a spot to hang out with a few guy friends on Saturday mornings. Unfortunately, it seems like the market for a $3.50 latte in the 'hood ain't good. It almost closed six months ago, but the city stepped in. Whatever was offered must not have been enough.
This is business, and in a sense it's no great loss. In the food business in particular, the chances of success are quite low--something like 20%. And opening up an upscale coffee place in a poor urban area doesn't help that rate. Still, there's a part of me that wants to see my neighborhood as the type of community in which spaces like the Bean Scene can exist. I recognize that my desire reflects my background: north Minneapolis has other neighborhood "centers," like buses, convenience stores, and barber shops. But the Bean Scene to me was a place community activists could use to connect. In my academic research, I'm sure to be talking about the negative affects of gentrification. And certainly I don't want to see a Starbucks on every corner here. But a little of it wasn't a bad thing.
The Bean Scene recently opened a second location a few blocks down the street, and that one survives. Yet it will never have the "charm" of the hamburger embossed door handle. And I have my doubts about it's long term future as well. Other coffee shops may come and go, but this one had a special place in my heart. So forgive me if I feel a little sentimental looking back over the short life of this modest enterprise.