Talk. Conversation. Discussion. Debate. Free Speech. These are all crucial to the building of civic society and of democracy. The traditional coffeehouse of Samuel Johnson - the penny university - was a place for this kind of free-wheeling talk between strangers and between people from all walks of life. Where are these conversations taking place in your community (a physical space or a virtual space) and what are people talking about?

The 5 latest submissions are shown below:

Name City State
Free Speech Movement Coffee Shop
You got to love a coffee shop with quotes from Mario Savio on the wall. All fair trade coffee and they let students and community members use the meeting next door for events -- even political event. Long Live Free Speech!!!		 Berkeley CA
Haley House Bakery Cafe
A non-profit Bakery Cafe serving "Food with Purpose" in Roxbury's Dudley Square. Haley House started as a Catholic Worker house (isn't anymore) and runs a soup kitchen and food pantry in Boston's South End, and opened the Cafe in Roxbury as a new home for its bakery and training program. Today, in addition to serving great food (and amazing choc chip cookies!) it runs after-school programs in healthy eating and cooking and a Transitional Employment Program for folks transitioning from incarceration. It is a great meeting spot - truly friendly. Great art from local artists too.		 Roxbury, MA Select
Caffe Sole
Great community gathering place. Interesting people from all walks of life. Staff made up of artists, musicians, rock climbers, enthusiasts, etc. Best decaf coffee in Boulder. Great mountain views. Community board takes up one whole wall.		 Boulder CO
Green Bean Coffeehouse
Beautiful '3rd place' kind of coffeehouse with super friendly staff, good local coffee and food, free wifi, community events, open mic, etc. Original location was arsoned in late 2009 but have reopened in a new space and it's still got a good feel!		 Seattle WA

 

 

 

 

 

Mosaic, a community coffee house
Seattle, WA
As a local, nonprofit coffee house, Mosaic exists to allow neighbors an opportunity to come together while encouraging the building of healthy community through conversation, exciting events, and excellent coffee drinks. Mosaic believes each guest who walks through the door is worth more than a labeled price, so they serve their food and beverages with no fixed price. What does this mean? You decide what it is worth. Mosaic wanted a space where anyone in the community could come in and enjoy the space, whethere they had the financial means or not... trusting there would be some who could give more - to offset those who could not. Along with a large main room, Mosaic has designed space - 2 specific rooms - for families & community meetings to enjoy. Demitasse and the Den offer a unique way in Seattle to allow neighbors to be neighbors and foster the health that stems from known relationships.