Suffolk News-Herald

Suffolk’s newest coffeehouse will soon be serving up more than lattes and cappuccinos.

Beginning this week, Java 149, in downtown on North Main Street, will unveil the newest addition to its eclectic menu of offerings: weekly poetry readings.

Budding poets – as well as lovers of poetry – are welcome to share their favorite passages from literature with neighbors and friends at Java’s first reading from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, said Heather Biaggi, a supervisor at the newly opened restaurant new downtown coffeehouse.

&uot;All forms of poetic expression are welcome,&uot; she said. &uot;One person might want to share his original work. Someone else may want to read Dr. Seuss or song lyrics.

&uot;Any of that would be awesome,&uot; she continued. &uot;It’s all poetry.&uot;

Java has had good response from customers ever since signs recruiting poetry readers went up last week, Biaggi said.

&uot;It’s surprising how many people have already expressed an interest,&uot; she said. &uot;People have already begun signing up to read.&uot;

Besides getting a readymade audience, readers will get another perk – a free coffee drink of their choice.

Folks attending the poetry readings will receive $1 off coffee drinks, Biaggi said.

Anyone interested in reading should submit a copy to owner Jeff Jones by 5 p.m. Friday to give him time to create the schedule of readers.

For more information, call Jones at 923-9928