Petersburg is Williamsburg (Brooklyn) to Richmond’s Manhattan. I was pleasantly surprised and supremely jealous to discover Java Mio Coffeehouse (322 N Sycamore St Petersburg, VA 23803 (804) 861-2700) in Old Towne. I was in the Pete conducting some business, and I needed a spot to cool down and check email. I remember driving by Java Mio many a time and finally, decided to check it out.Â
Wow! This is a very unique space. Probably, taking advantage of cheap Petersburg real estate, the location has huge square footage (twice as big as, say, an average Starbucks). They also take their coffee seriously, roasting fresh beans on premise (roaster was in the back). My cup of joe was very, very nice.Â
But, again, the standout feature of this coffee shop is its size and layout. The mashup furniture is very eclectic-cozy (a mix of bars, high tables, low tables, and a Friendsesque sofa). The magnificent centerpiece of the location, however, is their “Secret Garden” outdoor courtyard in the back (think Beuregard Thai Room). That must be the “it spot” for Petersburg denizens (when it’s not 100 degrees).Â
They have an extensive food menu serving beer and wine (No scouting report on the food as I had already eaten). Anyways, I was so impressed with Java Mio that I actually had to update my Top Coffee Shop list on the Good Life. This could very well be the perfect coffee house. Sure wish we could magically transport it to Richmond.
[...] The804.com blog raves about Petersburg’s Java Mio Coffeehouse, highlighting among other things the coffee quality and outdoor garden out back. Click here to read the full review. Posted by brenda p at 1:21PM under Business, community | Tags: Java Mio Coffeehouse [...]
Pingback by Petersburg People’s News (V2) » ‘One of the Best Coffee Shops in the 804′ - Petersburg, Virginia — June 8, 2008 @ 12:21 pm
After thinking this over I came up the only possible similarities between Petersburg and Brooklyn. There are certain parts of Brooklyn that are still not gentryfied and are certifiable hell-holds, meanwhile all of Petersburg is a certifiable hell-hold.
I would instead call Peterburg the (Haiti) to Richmond’s (Dominican Republic)
Comment by JackGoesForth — June 9, 2008 @ 12:25 am
Manhattan is just one large amusement park these days. Seriously, Richmond is more like 1970s Manhattan/Greenwich Village, what old-timers refer to as the \”good old days\” (drugs, cheap rent, hustlers, whores, crime, graffiti, and starving artists)
Comment by the804.com — June 9, 2008 @ 10:18 pm
Petersburg fell farther and faster than Richmond, but the Old Town has made a big comeback. There’s a really great sushi house, great old buildings converted into condos, art galleries and the rest. With it’s great history and nearby battlefield it is one of the more interesting communities in the Richmond solar system.
Comment by paul h — June 10, 2008 @ 8:15 pm