Inside: Sneaky Beans
Once upon a time, in a land called Fondren, there was a limited selection of live music venues. There was only one real coffee shop. There was no real gathering point where the java sippers could relax with the beer drinkers, while listening to some of Jackson's best local music. What's a self-respecting arts district to do?
Enter a young man named Byron Knight and his hip-yet-laidback coffee destination with a twist, Sneaky Beans. Occupying the space once held by the funky "new age" shop New Vibrations, this coffee shop has fortunately retained that store's eclectic and friendly, um, vibes.
Sneaky Beans includes several different rooms where different small groups can gather, including a back room with leather couches and a flatscreen TV. A diverse selection of artwork hangs on the walls, all by local artists. The front room, where drinks are served, often plays hosts to local musicians like Rhonda Richmond, Johnny Bertram, or Chris Alford (unless the weather is nice, in which case the music often moves to the patio).
The menu includes a full range of espresso drinks, smoothies, frappes, various sandwiches and breakfast items, as well as—yes, Virginia, you heard right—beer and wine. Thanks, Byron, for giving Fondren a unique and very welcoming place to hang out and hang loose.
