By Shannon Edinger
There is a coffee house on the block that has the Lutz community buzzing. Felicitous Coffee House opened its doors six months ago, and, although it is new, it has already been awarded “Best of the Bay” by Creative Loafing for its iced coffee.
Two friends, Cristie Leacock and Rani Chehal, co-own the busines at 19015 N. U.S. 41, just north of Lutz Lake Fern Rd., in a location that was previously a gas station and a thrift store.
Now filled with vintage decorations and artwork, it has become a go-to spot for coffee and pastries.
Leacock describes the atmosphere as vintage, artsy and eclectic.
“We have always supported small mom and pop shops so we sell their work here,” Leacock said. “We have some locally made arts and goods, homemade soups and candles. We want to start selling pottery also.”
Leacock said the coffee house’s décor is meant to make people feel like they are at home. There are comfy chairs and couches so people can take off their shoes and relax. Artwork is displayed throughout the coffee house and there are board games for customers to play.
Felicitous hosts events such as open mic nights on Wednesdays for local amateur musicians and poetry/spoken word nights on Thursdays. They also have knitting and gaming nights on Tuesdays. Saturdays are Doggy Day at the café, when they provide water and treats for dogs outside on the patio. Spaces can be reserved for events on Sundays. USF students get a discount on Monday nights.
In this rough economy, Felicitous tries to keep its prices low. Coffee is $2, cupcakes are $3.50 and muffins are $2.50. Leacock says they are experimenting with new drinks, but a customer favorite is the java chip frap.
“The secret is in the way you make it,” Leacock says.
Felicitous also serves gourmet sandwiches from Five and Two, a nonprofit Tampa area ministry that helps benefit food pantries.
Felicitous is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. It is closed on Sunday except for reserved events. For more information, visit www.felicitouscoffee.com or call (813) 948-6540.
