by Osman Parvez
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I happened to be in Nederland a couple of weeks ago. I was sitting in the sun, enjoying a sandwich outside the Mountain People Co’op when, further down the street, I saw a group of people on the patio of the old Acoustic Cafe. Live bluegrass music was filtering up the street. Strange, the last I heard, the old cafe was for sale or closing permanently.

So I wandered over to see what was happening. On the patio, I found a gregarious bunch of musicians flicking their six strings, banjos, steel guitars, harmonicas, and belting out a thumping good tune. If you’re a fan of live acoustic music, you’d have appreciated the jam session underway. So I sat down, ordered a cup of coffee, and had a listen.

The new business is called the Shining Star Cafe. The coffee was fresh and the locals were having a great time. Beer was flowing and the old building was filled with the warm sound of talented musicians.

The new cafe has an art house feel to it with small paintings on the walls. You’ll find free WiFi, a friendly staff, and enough tasty confections to suit. Homemade pies, brownies, and a lot more are on the menu. They also serve regular meals too if you’re looking for something more hearty. Perfect for the after-hike, after ski-experience. Or if you just happen to be passing through.

The music was so good, I had to stop in again this past weekend. At the end of the jam session, I had a few minutes to chat with Nathan, the owner (pictured below). He said the place has now been open for 3 months and they’re off to a decent start. Eventually, he plans to expand the music scene with more artists and maybe an open-mic night.

Maybe you’re wondering what this has to do with real estate. The fact is that I love highlighting local businesses, especially ones that serve the community. The Shining Star is a good example of a place where your dollars will be well spent. And if you swing by, please tell Nathan I said hello.

Here’s some additional detail from the cafe’s website:

“We opened our café to create a location in Nederland that is more than just an eatery. Although our main focus will be providing quality service while serving breakfast and lunch, our café will also nurture and honor the rich history the building has maintained (the original house was constructed in 1904). Shining Star Café is now and has been in the past (under former names and owners) a place where the local community can come together to view and exchange ideas, art, and talent with like-minded individuals. It is also a place where folks can relax and drink a warm espresso drink on our couch and play a game of chess. We as owners feel privileged to be in this building, and look forward to developing lasting bonds with our community. Our cooking will combine hearty favorites, healthy cooking styles, local flavors and creativity. Check for our daily soups made from scratch, homemade desserts and organic ice cream made in Boulder! We will serve breakfast and lunch specials based on seasonal availability of produce, and offer a special menu for our musical and other events. We have selected an initial wine list for our rotating stock, and offer a variety of whites and reds from around the world, some of them organic!

In addition to offering affordable meals and wine/beer, Shining Star café will host a
variety of styles of artists in our comfortable setting. Visual artists will be invited to display their creations on our walls, complete with advertised nights for artists to present and discuss their work. Check our Featured Artist page for the details on our first artist, Kim Albrecht. In addition to displaying visual arts, we are happy to carry on the musical traditions that this building has seen, starting with weekly open mics and some booked acts.”

By the way, the Shining Star isn’t the only new establishment on 1st street. There’s another restaurant or two and a deli. So escape the heat and head on up the canyon. It’s worth a visit!

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