When David Maynard, a banker by trade and art & music aficionado at heart, set out to open the Artist Café, he had a vision for a space where local creatives could come together and enjoy art and music in a cool environment. With the right combination of hard work and community support, his dream would quickly become a reality, turning into downtown Springfield's newest hot spot. In this month’s community creative spotlight, we take a look at the genesis of The Artist Café and its impact on the local creative economy in Springfield. From the year-long planning process to the overwhelming support he received from mentors and the community, we uncover the story behind this unique and vital addition to the Springfield arts scene.

Maynard had a passion for frequenting cafes during his travels and longed for a space locally where people could experience the same type of events he had while on his travels. He wanted to create a space like the wine night on the roof of a children's museum in Brooklyn or the collections of art activists in Charlotte. Like many, he thought why can’t we have a space like that here at home? He knew the perfect spot, an empty store front that he passed by daily on the way to the office.

"God himself wanted that café to open," Maynard said when discussing how everything came together so perfectly. Within weeks of signing the lease, everything began falling into place as if it were meant to be. He also has a unique approach to management, believing that "the energy you put out is the energy you receive." Maynard has received an overwhelming amount of support for his café project, which he believes is a testament to "believing in the goodness of people."

Maynard's journey to opening the Artist Café was a true labor of love, as he spent nearly a year volunteering at the Mocha Café in the Eastfield Mall on the weekends in order master the intricacies of running a coffee shop. He received invaluable guidance from other Springfield community mentors as well like Melvin from Kai & Elli restaurant, who gave him tips and tricks on where to procure the necessary restaurant equipment. He also credits the owner of Socialite Coffee bar for sharing contact information of the contractor who could help him build out the beautiful space he was envisioning.

The Artist Café is more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee and a pastry, it is a hub for the local creative community. The café often serves as a workspace during the day and a great meeting spot for young professionals. The café also hosts a variety of community events, including poetry and spoken word open mic nights, and art networking events like the Springfield Creative City Collective's monthly Art Meets series.

The café also supports the local Springfield economy by sourcing everything from local businesses. The coffee is from Monsoon brewery in Gasoline Alley, bakery items are from Picky Diva Treats and Eats, and bagels are from Benson Bagels on Sumner Ave. All of the beautiful and vibrant art showcased in the café is from local Springfield artists.

The Artist Café is not just a hot spot for local creatives to come together and enjoy art and music, but it's also a shining example of how investing in a sustainable creative economy can lead to thriving and prosperous community. Every dollar spent at the café supports five different local Springfield businesses, and the café serves as a platform for community events such as poetry/spoken word/open-mic nights and the SCCC's very own monthly Art Meets networking series. By visiting The Artist Café, not only will you be able to experience the talent of local artists and musicians, but you'll also be actively supporting the creative economy of Springfield. We encourage everyone to check out the café and attend an upcoming event to see the positive impact of investing in a sustainable creative community.

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Artist Café is to provide amazing coffee in an atmosphere that promotes diverse art and culture.

The Best Coffee Experience:

We are committed to provide the best coffee experience. We truly believe that Coffee is an art… and it is also a science. The artistry is evident in the designs of our latte art. The science is in the consistency we are committed too. No matter which barista prepares your coffee, it will be the same, time after time after time. We measure everything and educate ourselves on all things coffee related.