The Smithfield Herald, Aug. 31, 2001, Page 1-C

Coffeehouse menu boasts entertainment

Katherine Higgins, Staff Reporter

With their often exotic brews, coffeehouses have become quite popular in the Triangle.

But at The Coffee Mill here, entertainment might well be more popular than cappuccino, and that suits owner Jodi Sager just fine. "One of my biggest goals is to keep people entertained," she says. "Our main focus is to bring the community and arts here."

On any given night, The Coffee Mill attracts a crowd that often spills over onto the sidewalk in front of the shop. Folks come to hear music, listen to poetry, have a chair massage and, of course, to buy food and drinks.

Sager and her husband bought The Coffee Mill in February of last year, and while Sager had to learn a lot quickly, she's been pleased with the results. "It's been a slow, steady growth here," she says.

Sager says the shop's cozy décor and intimate size attracted her, and she says those attributes have made The Coffee Mill a meeting place and haven for folks who love to hear local music in a smoke-free and alcohol-free setting.

"We are kind of a more quiet and laid-back type place," says Sager, who believes the shop's appeal as a gathering place began with its open-mike night. "It's not just music on open-mike night. We have poetry, comedy, and we've had yo-yo tricks."

The music ranges from bluegrass to folk, and The Coffee Mill attracts artists from all over the South and East, Sager says. "We love to have local people, but we have a big following out of New York City," she says. "We've got the music part down now. We're booked through November."

Artists perform from 8 till 10 p.m. each Friday and Saturday, and on Friday mornings, kids can hear music just for them, too.

On nights the shop is open, especially during the summer, younger patrons in particular often take their beverages outside, Sager says. "A lot of that is high school kids, but inside is 'us aged' folks," she says. "I like the kids being out there because it's a safe environment for them."

Just as important, the kids are well behaved, which keeps adults coming too, says Sager. "I've met a ton of wonderful people," she says. "I'd say three-quarters of my customers I know on a first name basis."

This summer, The Coffee Mill staged it's first Millstock, a daylong festival of music and arts. Despite a summer shower that dampened activities, Sager says a few hundred people turned out that day.

Upcoming events include a photography show starting September 14. Also, Sager wants to get a comedy night started. "We've learned that these special nights bring people in," she says.

Of course, good coffee, smoothies, desserts, and sandwiches play a part, too, Sager says. "We hear a lot that the coffee is really good," she says. "We use a local roaster out of Raleigh, and we get coffee beans fresh."

Now, Sager is considering expanding the shop into back quarters not currently used. "We've expanded our hours, we've expanded the days we are open," she says. "We are growing along with it."

Article copyright © 2001, The Smithfield Herald. Reproduced with permission.