A mere 35 miles south of Charlottesville on Rte. 29 is home to one of the most unique and inviting musical hot spots in the region. Rapunzel's Coffee & Books is located in the small town of Lovingston, the county seat of rural Nelson County. Housed in an aged red building known as The Packing Shed, Rapunzel's hosts a wide variety of live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night.
One look inside this cozy coffee shop can tell you a lot about its owner, Sara Taylor. The multitude of oversized couches, colorful rugs and mismatched furniture all give the impression of comforting simplicity.
"There are so many coffee shops these days that are so hardcore," Taylor said. "They are very much designed for people to come in, get their coffee and leave."
Straying from the corporate model, Taylor has fashioned Rapunzel's into the kind of warm and homey space that will make you want to rest your bones and stay awhile. This down-to-earth quality is reflected in the fondness with which she speaks of the coffee shop and its loyal customers.
Rapunzel's attracts people of all ages from places both near and far. Like any hangout, it has its regulars. Some customers speak of traveling from as far away as Lynchburg and Charlottesville on a regular basis, just to visit this Nelson County treasure. According to Taylor, there are even people who stop by two or three times a day.
"Someone said once that people tend to come here to feel welcomed and loved," Taylor said. "I'm very grateful that people feel so warm and at home in this space."
While the delicious coffee and welcoming atmosphere will bring you to Rapunzel's, it's the outstanding music that will make you want to stay. A highlight of the venue's crowded performance schedule is the monthly open-mic night. Every second Friday, the Rapunzel's stage houses a parade of local talent. It's not out of the question to see a juggler, magician or even a belly dancer. The night, however, usually belongs to music.
The venue's small size allows the audience to develop an immediate relationship with the performer. It's not uncommon for a musician to strike up a conversation with those in attendance or to hear a kindly-worded request from a regular.
Bob Taylor, father and business partner of owner Sara Taylor, has seen a lot of gifted musicians get their start at Rapunzel's. Doing odd jobs around the coffee shop since its opening five years ago, he has noted the evolution of music performed at the venue.
"We have tended to be mainly country, bluegrass, old-time because we were strictly acoustic," he said. "Now we've kind of opened up a little bit. ... We're letting a few amps in. ... We're looking forward to [seeing] what comes up now."
Some memorable performances from the last open mic included those by Katherine Troyer, a novelty act who plays Tin Pan Alley tunes on her ukulele, and the duo of guitar-virtuoso Bill Staton and singer-songwriter Dallas Wesley.
"If you play three chords you can fit in, and if you can play half a dozen chords you can fit in," Staton said. "It's nice. The best thing about [Rapunzel's] is the spirit of it. There are no malicious people here. Everybody is really cool and really nice."
Even so, for every novice act at open mic night, there is always another that will amaze. Staton and Wesley were evidence of this at the show. Wesley, from Lynchburg, is a talented songwriter who once had the chance to move to the bright lights of Nashville. He mentioned that Rapunzel's was a big factor in his staying in Virginia.
"This is a musical hub in its own right," Wesley said. "There's no place like this in Nashville and there's no people like this in Nashville."
Wesley is currently gearing up for a solo performance at Rapunzel's tomorrow evening. The coffee shop has a free show every Friday evening. This is an excellent way to get acquainted with the venue and catch an evening of local talent.
"You never know," Staton said. "You can come in here on Friday night and get blown away by a free show. You can't do that in C-Ville."
Also, every Saturday night the venue features an established artist or group for a $5 cover charge. Musical acts play everything from country and bluegrass to folk and rock.
Everyone at Rapunzel's has a story about what the coffee shop means to them. For musicians, it's an encouraging environment to perform and make fans one song at a time. For regulars, it's an informal hangout to catch up with friends and enjoy a cup of coffee. For students, it's a laid-back and comfortable place to study.
According to Taylor, it's pretty quiet during the day and, interestingly enough, the antique-looking building even has Wi-Fi.
If you're looking for a real treat, stay for one of the many upcoming musical performances. You just might run into some of the regulars like "the fossils," whom Bob Taylor describes as a group of "gray-bearded men who sit in the back and criticize everybody." Don't worry, though. It's all in good humor. Also, be sure to pet Cleo, Sara Taylor's dog, who roams about Rapunzel's as if she owns the place.
"She makes an appearance onstage pretty much every time there's music going on," Taylor said. "She gets her own little ovation every time she comes out. She's become a part of the coffee shop."
It's quirks such as these that make Rapunzel's Coffee & Books so endearing. As one patron put it, "What you see is what you get." There's not a pretentious bone in the body of any employee or patron of Rapunzel's. After being caught up in the hustle and bustle of city life, that's quite refreshing.
Dallas Wesley will perform a solo show tomorrow evening at 8 p.m. There is no cover charge. The next open mic night is Friday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m.
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