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Poetry and Java Join at Beanstreets
by Mike Davis
Hanging out at Beanstreets
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Bright sunlight shines against rusty red brick walls and dances on browns and blues in a hanging painted canvas. In Asheville, just off the square on the corner of Broadway and College streets stands Beanstreets.
To local poets and artists, this is more a home than a business. Every Thursday night from eight o'clock until closing at eleven is open mic night, featuring poets, musicians, and comedians from the Asheville area. Run by no particular person, local and outside poetry lovers express their thoughts as well as show off their latest work. Beanstreets is one of the only places in Asheville left to host an after-dark poetry scene.
Founder Richard Puia
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It is owned and operated by Richard Puia, A New York native. Although he had previous business experience as well as day jobs, he never tried a coffeehouse until moving to Asheville. He picked up the coffeehouse trend while journeying the four corners of America, from Florida to California.
He decided to risk starting a coffeehouse in Asheville after much thought. "It's always a risk you have to take", says Puia. To reduce the risk he made it attractive and unique, with his own artistic touch. He also sought self-fulfillment. "You have more pride in doing things for yourself rather than others".
On Thursday nights you might find the slight hum of a poetic voice seeping into the crowd.
Beanstreets opened in 1993, the year of the blizzard. From the beginning it attracted a diverse clientele. Individualism has been a major factor in Beanstreets' success. According to the Asheville Citizen Times, it is visited by "everyone from executives in business suits to tourists and homeless wearing anything they can find…".
Puia offers free space to local artists to display and sell their work.
Puia decorated Beanstreets himself. The slight aroma of coffee bean and deli sandwiches fills the nose as you step foot inside the door. Coffee is not the only thing on the menu. Anything from a regular single shot of coffee to a triple shot of white chocolate latte can be ordered with your sandwich. Prices range from about $2.50 - $4.00 for coffee. $3.00 - $5.00 for a good deli sandwich.
Coffee and sandwiches may be the attraction during the day, but after eight, it's the poetry that really brings the customers.
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