Dancers Shape: What do you love about this neighborhood?

Monkey Nest: The people. Everyone in the neighborhood is friendly, outgoing, and social. This setting gives the Burnet Road community a special vibe where you often can't differentiate between the residents, owners/employees of shops and restaurants, or visitors to these establishments.

DS: What is the most rewarding part of owning a small business for you?

MN: Being a part of that community that Burnet Road has created that gives a rewarding feeling to a small business owner. No single establishment or group could create such an environment on it's own. This community and its closeness grew organically from the bond created by the people here.

DS: What makes your business special?

MN: Our business is made special by the devotion of the staff, loyalty of the customers, and creativeness of the artists that display their work or perform their music here. We had a vision of creating a comfortable environment where one can relax with some friends, listen to live music, study, or just sit and enjoy some coffee and food from a health conscious menu made with high quality ingredients. We put the concept into practice, but the people of the community are what allowed it to thrive and become what it is today.

DS: Anything else we should know about Monkey Nest?

MN: We have live music every Friday and Saturday night, as well as every other Sunday afternoon (with the exception of a couple weeks off around finals, so the students can study). The big project we are working on currently is our new seasonal lunch menu that will be launching this June.

Thank you Monkey Nest for the many cups of coffee and for participating! Keep an eye out for more Love Local blogs soon!