Learn while you latte

Kronic Coffee offers community education

Kronic Coffee on Folly Road on James Island has always been a great place to grab lunch or a beverage.

Owner Michele Durante is so friendly with everyone who walks into her cafe, you feel right at home. The cheerful atmosphere is a great place for solo studying. And now, for a group-learning environment as well.

Durante has just introduced evening classes for people in the community in areas such as creative writing, foreign language, and eventually art.

"We are such a community-based organization," Durante explains. "I wanted to offer things to the community so that more people can become involved. I'm trying to become more involved myself! We use a lot of organic, local ingredients in our stuff, so why not?"

So far, Durante has seen a great deal of interest in the classes. "We've only had a couple of the writing classes so far," she says. "But we had 11 people at the last one, and they ranged in age from 14 to 80!"

The art classes are still "in the works," as Durante explains. Conversational Spanish classes are Monday nights, and the writing classes are Wednesdays. Each class lasts from 7-9 p.m. and the classes are "pay as you go." Sessions cost $5.

"All the thing we are offering are things I've always wanted to learn more about," laughs Durante. "I told myself once that by the time I'm 40, I want to know several different languages. I think Americans need to learn more about different cultures."

Durante plans to offer the classes all through the summer, and will continue them "as long as people have the want for it," she says. She says she plans that each "series" of classes will begin with brainstorming and end with a special project, such as an open mike night for the creative writing class, for example.

"I want people to have a good experience," she says. "I'm up for all kinds of different things. We might try age specific later, such as a teen-only workshop."

Of course, during the classes, Kronic will be serving its usual array of beverages, both cold and hot. Durante also offers an evening menu of appetizers, and she plans to begin offering specials on food during the class sessions.

Besides community classes, the cafe offers live entertainment, mostly local performers, on the weekends. Durante is excited about everything happening at Kronic, and she feels confident that more good things are to come.

"We are more than just coffee," she says. "We're a place to hang out, learn and get inspired."