Book & Bean to become “Papaya Café”
The new owners of Book & Bean at The Marketplace are the same folks who run the popular Pink Papaya store in Cruz Bay. John and Linda Dickson closed on the purchase of Book & Bean this week, and have some new plans for the place. They’ll continue to sell coffee and books, and they’ll carry newspapers, including the New York Times, as well as cards and stationary, and they’ll sell goodies, thanks to a deal with a baker in Coral Bay.
And they’re starting to fill the store with local art that’s for sale, including works by Lisa Etre (who was one of Pink Papaya’s previous owners.)
You’d think they’d be busy enough with one store, so why expand? “It’s the highest traffic area on St. John, besides the ferry dock,” says Linda. “It’s a good business and we’re just going to make it more fun and colorful.”
The Book & Bean signs will stay up for a few weeks, until the new “Papaya Cafe” signs are made (and approved by Marketplace), in a month or so. We’ll give them a bit to settle in, then we’ll take you to see the new store.
January 19th, 2008 01:22
Lisa’s got some great artwork. I hope she can expand into making some fabric people can buy for upholstering their villa sofas in unique St. John style. Lisa- Any plans for inlcluding any donkeys or other wild St. John animals in your paintings. I love St. John donkeys.
January 19th, 2008 07:23
The new place sounds great! I hope flavored ice coffees are on the menu! I also look forward to browsing the artwork and other goodies~
January 19th, 2008 09:16
Congratulations Linda & John! Wishing you the best success with Papaya Cafe.
January 19th, 2008 11:04
Looking forward to visiting your store soon. Sounds wonderful. Congrats!
January 19th, 2008 12:03
Congratulations Lisa & John! If you’re looking to hire a coffee taste tester, let me know!
January 19th, 2008 16:56
Congrats to the happy couple of course! I hope they can do a variety of organic drinks/items without preservatives or anything artificial!
January 20th, 2008 17:19
I wonder if the panther will drink coffee.
January 24th, 2008 09:10
Both John and Linda are great! They are selling my book “Keep Left” the comedy about St. John and now are on their third reorder from me in less than two weeks!