06/07/2026
Exactly a year ago, Andra felt the windows between our shop and the library — which at that time still had big, empty shelves and was not yet open — needed something.
The shop in general was pretty bare — no money for decor. She found a little wooden box and some colored pencils at home, invested in a package of index cards and some clothespins, and strung a ball of twine between the window frames.
Without any instructions, guests of all ages understood the assignment.
We can't explain why, but the "art line" immediately became so popular that we knew it needed to be permanent. People gravitated to it.
This inexpensive fix that we thought would be temporary has wound up bringing us, and apparently all of you, daily joy for an entire year.
Each Thursday evening when Brad cleans the espresso machine, Andra sharpens the colored pencils, refills the index cards, and organizes the line. She looks at every single card, then takes some down that have been up awhile to make room for new ones.
She never, ever throws one away. Cards from the first several months are organized in a binder on the counter, and she's working on adding the rest to a new binder.
Some are scribbles by children, some are works of art by adults, some are inspirational messages by teens — all tell a story of those who spent time here.
So, as long as we are here, McKay Street Coffeehouse will continue to be the community's unofficial public art gallery! Thanks to each of you who have brought smiles to our faces through your creations.
(And, if you scroll through each of the photos in this post to the very end, you'll see the first few cards added to the art line on June 6, 2025, courtesy of Summer Ebert and Keaton Lenard!)
❤
