The Clever Cup Coffee Shop
To get a feel for the inner workings of a community, one needn’t look further than the local coffee shop. A bastion of creativity, comfort, small bites, and of course, coffee, the neighborhood café has the uncanny ability to be both a hideaway and a business center—a place where one can go to create art or negotiate a contract.
Enter: The Clever Cup Coffee Shop on Gateway Avenue in Sarasota’s ever-changing Gulf Gate neighborhood. Since 2016, Clever Cup’s been doling out fresh, ethically sourced and locally roasted coffee seven days a week. But it sees itself as way more than just a coffee shop.
“We wanted to create a space that’s cozy, comfortable, and welcoming for everyone,” says owner Tracy de Chevron Villette. “People can work, study, relax, and have fun in a vibrant community hub with friendly baristas. Families, children, and adults all interact here, together.” And interaction is key at Clever Cup. The café often brings in live music, has plenty of games available (think chess and Scrabble), and hosts a wide array of craft nights where participants paint with watercolors, sculpt clay, make jewelry, create origami, and more.
While coffee is the focus, people are the larger picture. “We’ve raised money for local schools and provided free coffee for teachers and staff, and in return they’ll display a poster of the shop or mention us in their newsletter,” De Chevron Villette says. “Customers say this space is very important to them. We’ve had a proposal in here, we’ve had a couple that met here and is now engaged. Coffee is great, but we’re a community spot.”
And as for great coffee, you’ll find all the roasted regulars on the menu: lattes, cold brew, drip coffee, espresso drinks, as well as an extensive tea list and specialty drinks (like the delectable affogato, with espresso served over vanilla bean ice cream). You’ll also find an abounding list of locally sourced baked goods—with gluten free and vegan options—like croissants, muffins, and a cinnamon roll, as well as heartier bites like a bacon, egg, and cheese or a turkey and cheese sandwich.
So the next time you find yourself in Gulf Gate—whether morning, noon, or night—looking for that requisite caffeine fix, be sure to take a peek into The Clever Cup. You might catch a local musician, a knitting group, or even the monthly vegan potluck (which we’re told is a bustling affair). “Very eclectic groups of people enjoy the shop. People meet, mingle, share ideas and experiences,” De Chevron Villette says. “Every day is different here, but every day is a good day for coffee.” We couldn’t agree more.
The Clever Cup Coffee Shop: 6530 Gateway Ave., Sarasota;
941-806-5909; theclevercup.com
