We are coffee shop lovers here in AltDailyLand,

so when we heard that Generic Theater’s Phillip Odango was starting up a new spot on 35th St. in Park Place, we all but went shwing!

In anticipation of opening night tonight (2/14), we talked to Phillip about how the cafe came about, what he hopes people get out of their Kerouac experience, and the role of the coffee shop in the community.

On the road to a great coffee shop: Phillip Odango. (Pic | Angela Best)

AltDaily: So today’s the big day. How are you feeling?

Phillip Odango: Very happy and grateful for what our team of have been able to accomplish thus far.

What’s the origin story of Kerouac?

Kerouac is a workspace with coffee and tea. Stories, art, coffee – in that order. The idea stems from the need of a creative person of a place to work, especially writers. Contemporary coffee shops have strong traditional ties with the artistic community, however such shops have more-or-less become take-out establishments droning with the clacking of everyday life. Thus a need sprang for those who seek a quiet space to let their mind wander creatively and muse for hours over a cup of coffee, espresso or tea.

Why Park Place? What sort of potential do you see in that neighborhood?

I’m going on an entirely spiritual instinct of the voice of Park Place’s history of being filled with people. Where else did one find two seven-hundred-seat movie houses situated on the same block? I sense a voice of the 35th Street corridor wanting to breathe new life into its cultural veins. The potential has always been there, and may have been dormant for years, but it can become a creative incubator, as it has already begun with The Venue on 35th Street, where our patrons can perform their original works at The Venue’s openic mic on Mondays.

You say that the project is community-driven and sourced. What does this mean?

Strategic consultation in the early phase of development was provided by an area restaurateur and local builder. Materials in building the coffee shop were sourced from donated goods, area thrift stores and found objects right off the street. Design collaboration and installation was conceived and executed largely by volunteers. Coffee equipment and accessories are provided by Virginia Espresso Sales Co.

Beat on by tonight.

How have you worked to make the space special?

What is it about artists, writers, and coffee shops? Why aren’t we happy typing away in our rooms?

As inventors, we live through the creation and destruction of universes. We seek alone-togetherness in places with mutual understanding of our ponderous natures. Our rooms are places to which we retreat when we’re done steeping in our impermanence.

What is the best thing someone could say after their first Kerouac experience?

I feel compelled to create.

Please use this space to give shout-outs to the people who were vital to this project getting off the ground.

We would not be here foundationally without the generosity of Larry Epplein and Virginia Espresso Sales Co., the strategic consultation with David Hausmann, John Porter and Lucas Doan, and Acquanetta Ellis of Norfolk City Planning. Thank you to all of our partners, family members, donors, volunteers, vendors, suppliers, business consultants, the Park Place Civic League, City of Norfolk, members of City Planning, our neighboring businesses, our landlord and to the media The Virginian-Pilot, Veer and AltDaily.com for shining a light on the 35th Street corridor. We are indebted to IHOP on 21st Street for continually excellent service during our development team’s midnight meetings. Thank you.

Kerouac Cafe is located at 617 W. 35th Street. Doors open at 7pm tonight.