Let me tell you guys about one my ventures to find a new spot in Portland. As I mentioned before, I’m going to bring you along on my coffee shop exploits as I try to find a good place to write.

This is a place that I stumbled upon by accident.

Let me back up a bit and tell you that I’m on the hunt for vintage airplanes for the boys’ room. So every time I see a vintage store or resale shop, I try to find the closest parking spot and go shop. On my various travels I kept running into one called Vintage Vendors, but never have time to pull over and go inside. One morning, I did have the time. After unsuccessfully trying to pry open the door, I realized Vintage Vendors didn’t open for another hour.  That’s when I noticed an empty coffee shop, called Marina’s Kafe.

I figured, why not spend an hour here. I liked that it was sunken into the ground and had window seating that looked out onto the busy street. It’s perfect for people watching, which is especially good for when I’m running low on writing inspiration.

The decor was a little stark, in a no frills, but still warm sort of way. I wondered if it was new. Prince’s When Doves Cry was playing overhead and I took that as a good sign.

The walls had local art on them like all of the coffee shops around Portland. Yet some of this art looked different, kind of like they were drawn by children. There was a colorful nook for kids to play and a couple of towering, stocked bookshelves.

I chatted it up with the owner, Marina, who told me that she’s been there for nine years and that the art on the wall was created by clients at Full Life, an enrichment program for adults with disabilities. Even better is that the artists receive a portion of the proceeds from their works.

She also sells parenting books and kids’ clothing, and gives that money to the Letty Owings Center, which is a recovery center for moms and pregnant women who are battling addictions.

I half expected this lady to tell me that she also ran a homeless shelter out back, but she didn’t. She’s just a woman with a big heart who makes desserts that apparently are very popular. I was good on *this* day and didn’t order any, though they looked delish.

So, all in all, a good place. Not for my writing, as I need something else, but I will be back, especially if I have a case of writer’s block.