Artwork by
Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

Cherry Street Artisan, More Than Just a Coffee House
Christian Prosser, Corner Post Staff

Oct. 13, 2003 - Craving some variety? Something between coffee, tea, pizza, panini, wine, beer, or cider. With a crowd ranging from CAFNR and ROTC to Pre-Med and Journalism students, the Cherry Street Artisan has some serious variety.

Based on the concept of the community artisan as someone who does something well; in this case: baristas (bartenders), cooks, artists, and musicians. After fifteen months of operation, manager Jeremy Brown says business is good and steadily increasing. He believes that they "meet a lot of different desires." Some of those desires are met by an addition of a kitchen on-site six months ago, which expanded the menu to full meals.

Given the considerable interior's numerous couches, a lot of students come to do homework. "It's a good place to study, (a) nice relaxing environment. A little bit more comfortable than the library," Brown said. Some students sit at tables but for the most part, couches go pretty fast. However, with free wireless internet, there's more to it than just couches.

The Artisan serves many different segments of Columbia's population outside its MU student audience. Business people come to the Artisan for morning coffee, a place to grab a quick lunch, as well as drinks and dessert on weekends.

"It's like the non-smoking alternative to a bar," said Brown.

As far as the competition goes, it's hard to keep up with the Artisan. There's more to the Artisan than just a coffeehouse. Customers almost immediately notice the expansive size of the place. "It's pretty spacious, which people like," said barista Derek Jenkins. Other than the menu of interesting morsels, and broad selection of wine and beer, the Artisan offers live music both during the week and on weekends.

"I think we have something for everyone," said Brown.

"I like it for all the opportunities that it provides for artists," said marketing manager and barista Claire Hoffman. "I like the people. I like that the stage is the center of attention."

Hoffman, a Stevens College graduate with a B.S. in theater cited the Artisan as the reason she stayed in Columbia.

The menu is quite varied. It is currently ranging from Autumnal feasts to Caribbean food. Jennifer Arnold, a chef out of the Kansas City area responsible for adding attractive, atypical things to the menu. One of the more unique things about the Artisan is how much of the food they make from scratch. For instance, their quality hummus is homemade as is their focaccia bread used for their panini sandwiches.

The current shows at the Artisan consist primarily of live music, despite earlier attempts at theatrical performances. Every day from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., there is live music with lunch. Thursday evenings host an informal jazz jam session. Friday and Saturday nights are reserved for dinner and a show, which is a featured entrée and a featured act. "On the weekends it's a full-out restaurant with fine-dining and entertainment," said Hoffman.

One of the more aesthetic features of the Artisan is the art on the walls. Local artist David Clark manages the art itself. Exhibits rotate every two months. The current art is mostly prints by Frank Stack and others. The prints are already lined up for the next six months.

From coffee, to beer, to music, to couches, to art on the walls and a bronze tiger standing near the bar, The Cherry Street Artisan has proven one thing with its active business. "It's just what the district needed."

Full story 10/13/03

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