BY WILLIAM HARVEY, King High

The story goes that David killed Goliath, but that scenario rarely holds true these days, especially when the players are little local shop and burly corporate giant. Felicitous Coffee & Tea House, an independent coffee house at 11706 N 51st St. in Tampa, challenges the giant right at his doorstep: Felicitous sits 100 steps around the corner from a Starbucks.

 The comfy little blue house, originally a rental property and later a hair salon, was remodeled into hip coffee joint by owner Rani Chehal over a course of eight weeks.

Bright, decorative spotlights edge the roof, sparkling light strands wrap around a propped bicycle and a door turned sideways works as a colorful sign that beckons patrons. Inside, eclectic mismatched furniture is snuggled around the small retrofitted home, which adds to the comfortable and welcoming down-to-earth feel without seeming cramped.

Local artists’ work hides the true color of the walls and ceiling, and the artworks are available for purchase. Each month, the makeshift gallery rotates its art stock to fit a central theme.
 
Felicitous Coffee & Tea stands out among endless commercial chains for more than its underground looks. It boasts organic and locally grown ingredients in soups, sandwiches and desserts. Felicitous also offers poetry readings, book clubs, morning tai chi, drum circles and knitting groups.

The last Wednesday of every month is “open mic” night, where local musicians gather to play to enthusiastic patrons on the open air patio.

Felicitous, nestled near USF but a little off the beaten path, becomes a makeshift community center where friends — hipster or not — may relax, drink coffee or tea, play board games and discuss Kurt Vonnegut and David Foster Wallace.

This David of a coffee house hits the spot right on.

Info:
Felicitous
Coffee & Tea
11706 N 51st St., Tampa
(813) 988-2828
www.felicitouscoffee.com
http://www.facebook.com/felicitouscoffee