The Guest House
This being human is a Guest House.
Every morning a new arrival.
A love, a joy, a depression, a meanness,
Some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture,
Still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
For some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
Meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
--Rumi
One Customer's Review when realizing The Shoppe was closed one day...
Titled... "Mien Liebe Sun Shoppe"
"It was 8:30 PM on this tragic Tuesday in the month of May. I strutted down this sidewalk arm-in-arm with a very good friend of mine. There was a peculiar feeling in the pit of my stomach. As my eyes swept across the view before me, I felt my heart shatter into thousands of jagged-edged shards.
There were no groups of friendly patrons seated around tables outside, cigarettes coupled with cold coffee-esque concoctions to help lessen the stifling effect of a summer's night. There was no idle banter; no heartening bursts of laughter. All was dark and silent. A single tear rolled from the corner of my eye, falling to the vacant cement below. I read the pasted sign, and my breath caught in my throat. Closed! Until the following morn!
My life was ruined, my soul broken. I became a hollow shell. Who was to make my nightly dose of multiple dosed Heroines? I needed my fix, and none could provide it. It was all over. Tonight I shall die, and all I wish to say is...Thank you for providing me with a delightful home, and (excepting tonight!) always being there for me.
I...love you. And that doesn't come easy. So, in parting. I leave this quote: "Goodnight sweet Prince, and may flights of Angels guide thee to thy rest."
With Due Sincerity,
anonymous
From: The Shoppe To: Anonymous...
Please step forward...you are to be our first "Lifetime Member" with all the benefits. To claim your benefits including a 20% discount, you must re-write this letter and deliver to the Shoppe with your real name, address and phone number.
... come in, sit down, have a latte... your friends are already here waiting for you, along with some other interesting folks you haven't met. Relax, ease into some gentle conversation, and get ready for the show to start ...
Original acoustic music, in its simplest form, is one of our culture's most pleasurable and enduring treasures. The SunShoppe has been created to provide a deeply rewarding experience for performers and audience alike.... a warm, inviting, smoke-free listening room for up to 80 people, to enjoy the best of today's folk, roots, jazz, country, and blues artists, live. Local players share the stage with traveling musicians. And if you don't want to listen, you can "hang" outdoors with your friends.
The Sun Shoppe is an all-ages, non-smoking, liquor-free performance venue located in Downtown Melbourne Florida across from the Henegar Center for the Performing Arts.
The Sun Shoppe provides a casual, comfortable community oriented place for the neighborhood to gather, eat, relax and socialize.
- Rich strong coffee drinks made from custom roasted beans.
- Fresh pastries made each day.
- Delicious and unique food made on site using only fresh ingredients.
- Numerous vegetarian selections are available and some vegan offerings
- Domestic and Imported bottled beer and wine.
- Beautiful out door seating (DOG and SMOKER friendly!).
- Free live music on many evenings with Bluegrass, Blues, Jazz, Ragtime and other American roots styles.
- American, International, and Local artists are featured on our walls.
- Wide selection of magazines and games for patrons to peruse while they eat or drink at the cafe
- Wireless DSL internet access available for laptop users.
The Sun Shoppe & Cafe home to Internet babies, the wise beyond their years FIT and BCC students, tourists savvy enough to venture east of Downtown, and the happy go lucky local crowd. A very jazzy joint for all types with the right music to boot. The regulars are as varied as South Beach patrons. Young, old, older, white, black, Asian, anti-capitalists, millionaires, artists, musicians, jocks, gay, straight. All in all, a place that makes you feel hip just by walking in the door.
WHO IS THE SUN SHOPPE?
People wander in to the Sun Shoppe from near and far. Only a very few run away screaming. A handful have never left at all. Most return frequently, for they have discovered an urban oasis. Customers are fittingly hip and eclectic. Lots of dedicated foodies, nice customer cross-pollination with Breakfast Klub, kids, sub-teens, Midtown citizens, and happy Mexican hairless dogs; all mingling, nibbling and looking cool. The Sun Shoppe crowd is an assorted mix of funky families, artists, couples, and serious art/music aficionados. It also attracts a more Junior League/Eddie Bauer crowd: mommies with strollers, professionals heading home, and students on first dates. Blonde dreadlocks and Birkenstocks with a lot of bliss, this audience is full of characters that are joined by chic suited women, mothers with children and men with pony tails. A growing mix of regulars who include early morning exercisers, hand-holding grown-ups with dogs on leashes, locals as well as curious passers-by tempted by the bucolic bustle.
A couple can discreetly drink their espressos between sideways glances and soft laughs. They can keep to themselves, and add to the intimate feel of the Shoppe. In fact, Diane likes to describe Shoppe as a place perfect for a date. You can sit down and have a conversation here. It's intimate. This is no meat market with thumping house music.
The look...
No video games, no billiards, no foosball and no Bud signs.
A classic collection of Classic rock, pop, blues, bluegrass, Motown, jazz, R&B and Sinatra (naturally), quietly broadcast from a CD-player behind the bar, completes the Shoppe ambiance.
The Sun Shoppe is Melbourne's family friendly music, arts and internet cafe. Many evenings (and a few afternoons) bring live music, poetry, storytelling and open mic performances to the stage. Come see local artists' work on display, or watch them in action painting the "community canvas" that will occupy the outdoor wall. The Sun Shoppe features indoor and outdoor seating. Premises are wheelchair-accessible.
A true living-room atmosphere.... espresso, tea, juice, beer, or wine, as you prefer... smokers' accommodations OUTSIDE... E-Z street parking... good times guaranteed, see you at The Sun Shoppe!
What Others are Saying
Eclectic cafe sizzles with tasty eats, rocking tunes
Restaurant review
Musicians, poets and coffee lovers need look no further than The Sun Shoppe Cafe in central Downtown Melbourne to satisfy cravings for caffeine and eclectic entertainment.
Located at 540 E New Haven across from the Henegar Center for the Performing Arts, the venue is home to National, International & local artwork displays, rejuvenating mugs of java and unique music. Not only is the cafe a relaxing oasis to catch a quick breakfast or late-night latte, it also serves as a miniature theater and art gallery. New-music junkies can enjoy local bands throughout the week, and those looking to express their artistry in public can display artwork or release creative talents on stage on Tuesday nights during open mike.
The Sun Shoppe promotes conversation and studying alike with its relaxed indoor/outdoor setting. Menu includes Belgian waffles, bagels, muffins, eggs, sandwiches, salads, soups, appetizers, smoothies, pastries, espresso, beers and wines are served any time.
New visual art is displayed in the cafe every month, and people interested in displaying their masterpieces can inquire with Diane.
Open mike night is a gamble as is life---which makes it fun and interesting. But during the weaker numbers, chatting with friends, sipping coffee and enjoying the eclectic atmosphere ensured an enjoyable evening.