I showed up at Eurotazza coffee shop today to find their doors closed and a For-Lease sign in the window. I'm heartbroken. There are few places where a writer can go where the environment is right and the coffee is aplenty. I didn't go every day, because it was at an awkward end of town. But when I did go, I stayed for hours, writing and editing or just reading. No one complained if you parked yourself there and just ordered coffee all day. If I stayed through lunch, I'd buy a sandwich just to remain a customer. It's so rare to find a writing sanctuary like Eurotazza's that I feel so sad about its closing. And yes, there are Starbucks around here, but they're not the same. They aren't a "sit here and relax" type place. They are a "here's your coffee, now get out" type. Once, I went to Starbucks in Barnes and Noble when Eurotazza had a power outage. I thought, bookstore, great place to write. The sign on the window said "Wi Fi here." Cool. When I went in, I could not find a power outlet to plug in my laptop. They had power outlets but not near the tables. So I asked the girl at the counter if there was a power outlet near any of the tables. She looked at me so blankly, I could tell right away that this was not a "real" coffee shop. Just a commercial fast food joint in disguise. I then commented on their availability of wi fi. She said, "Well, it's not free. You have to have a subscription." Jaw drops. No outlets and I had to jump through hoops to use the Internet? And actually, I already had the subscription (you had to be an AT&T customer), but the atmosphere was just not the same as an independent.

I'm sorry to see you go, Eurotazza. I hope I can find a replacement that is just as warm and inviting.