On any given day at C’ville Coffee you’ll likely see a cross-section of Charlottesville’s diverse citizenry. Among the masses on Restaurantarama’s last visit were (1) a harem of harried mothers frantically sipping coffee while their wild toddlers scaled the wooden climbing turtle, (2) City Councilor Holly Edwards in intimate discussion with a constituent, (3) a real estate agent negotiating a deal, (4) a half a dozen students huddled over laptops and (5) no less than three separate community groups meeting over mugs and muffins. Free Wifi, plenty of seating separated into an Adult Zone and a Kid’s Corner and a unique line-up of gourmet sandwiches, salads and noodle bowls make the Harris Street establishment popular with people who need a place to get stuff done and want the company of other people getting stuff done—whether that “stuff” be studying, organizing a fundraiser or exercising a rambunctious kid into a nap-ready coma. Restaurantarama wondered if all that use and abuse is what led owner Toan Nguyen to give the place a bit of a makeover this month: There’s a fresh coat of exterior paint, more prominent signage and a new patio seating area in front of the building. Turns out that freshening-up is only part of the story.

Earlier this year, Nguyen, a Darden Business School alumnus and former corporate professional before starting the small coffee shop almost 10 years ago with his wife Betsy Patrick, was embarking on an expansion of the retail coffee business: a wholesale and online distribution strategy for the signature “Honey Bunches” cookies made fresh at the shop. Unfortunately, the economic crisis intervened.

“We’re no longer pursuing that,” says Nguyen. “Because of the recession, we’ve decided to focus again here.”

Not only has Nguyen given the shop a fresh look, but he’s in the process of building a small stage in anticipation of a regular schedule of acoustic acts, poetry readings and open mic nights to begin on January 15 with a performance by jazz trumpeter John D’earth. After that, C’ville Coffee will host entertainment Thursday-Saturday, 7-9:30pm, with the kitchen staying open for the later hours. Beer and wine will also be available subject to an ABC license for which Nguyen is reapplying—“We had one a few years ago when we were doing the [more extensive] noodle bowls, but it never took off.”

This time, Nguyen is betting there will be plenty of demand for C’ville Coffee’s next foray into a later, “spirited” performance scene.

From Diner to diner

Last week we told you about Expresso Italian Villa’s new name (The Villa), menu and look, under its new ownership. What we didn’t tell you is that the family who started the Italian Villa has quietly been serving up some of their same signature Italian and Greek fare plus all-day breakfast across town at the Cavalier Diner, which opened earlier this year. The couple, Margarita and Nick Vlavianos, came out of retirement in Greece to take over the old Sam’s Kitchen space.