Lansing - Only in its first few months of existence, the Gone Wired Cafe has thrived selling coffee in a unique atmosphere - two floors, a children's area and the same booths from the diner scenes in "Pulp Fiction."
The menu offers coffees, espresso drinks, teas and smoothies with all-natural fruits and no preservatives, co-owner Kevin Franke said.
The cafe, located at 2021 E. Michigan Ave., is also decked out with many local photos and paintings, all for sale. The owners welcome the opportunity to support local artists and change the displays every few months to keep the art fresh.
"We offer local artists a chance to display their art," Franke said.
Along with refreshments and a spacious atmosphere, the shop has computers for customers to use and also offers computer classes for patrons to become more acquainted with the Internet, e-mail and computers in general. Gone Wired offers jazz beginning at 8 p.m. every Friday as well.
The cafe is located now in the old Raupps Campfitters building, and the owners feel it's a great place for their business.
"It was the find of the century, and the architecture is gorgeous," co-owner Colleen Davis said.
Aside from selling coffee and other refreshments, they offer other activities to help entice customers, such as a children's area, filled with toys and games.
Lansing resident Amy Cairns, who lives just a couple blocks from the new shop, comes here with her 4-year-old son, Tighe, a couple times a week.
"The children's area has different toys than he has at home," Cairns said.
They also have room that large groups can reserve for meetings. Franke said groups such as Sierra Club and Lansing Chess Club have used the area.
"Average coffee shops have tables that are one foot apart, and you usually have to share a table," Davis said.
Cairns also said she likes the area because of its openness.
"It's nice because even when it is crowded, it's not as loud as an East Lansing cafe," Cairns said.
Lansing resident Mitch Hamilton started coming here because he knows the owners, but said he has come to love cafe's space.
"There are not people here to bug you," Hamilton said. "There are little nooks and crannies to hide out."
With most of the MSU students gone for the summer, Davis and Franke focused their attention on bringing in local customers.
"We use the summer to focus on the residents and reach out," Davis said. "The East Side community is so involved in local food."
The owners hope Gone Wired Cafe continues to be a place everyone can visit.
"Three generations like to come here and all hang out," Franke said.
