The Globe Coffee Lounge The Globe Coffee Lounge in downtown St. Petersburg is sort of a haven for those who want to get away from it all. There is so much to the place that makes it a great hangout. Whether it's the people, the music, the atmosphere, or even the desserts, The Globe is one of the city's prime hotspots. I first came upon this great place last year. I picked up a flyer and decided to head over there. I immediately fell in love with the coffee shop as I ordered something to eat and started drawing. I knew right away that this was going to be my place to sit down, get a snack, and have a good time. I noticed that many other people felt the same way. Those that were there were just kicking back and drinking coffee, which I found to be very cool. The literary and arts scene is very noticeable here with the artists, writers, poets, and devoted readers of great books spending a lot of time drawing, writing, or reading. Owner JoEllen Schilke is a java goddess and all-around diva who hosts "Art in Your Ear" on WMNF 88.5 FM on Fridays from 11am-noon. She definitely knows what’s going on in the Tampa Bay area. The first time you talk to JoEllen, it'll be like you've been coming here for a long time. She makes you feel very welcome. This is the same for the regular patrons. They are extremely nice and it's a possible you'll make new friends every time you go. I lock my bike up and go in and get a pop (I'm from Michigan. I say pop). It's a typical Friday night, quite busy and quite fun to take a seat and do whatever. I witness many of the regulars as well as many new faces comprised of mostly older adults talking about cars and trucks for some reason. The women of the group seem disinterested. People are getting things like lattes and caramelaccinos. Everyone has a different haircut: spiky, long, shaved, dyed, etc. and a different style. There's a bucket of various toys that keeps one person happy; playing with a Barrel of Monkeys. One man awaits a fellow chess player to come and start up a game with him. The festive Christmas lights illuminate the place along with a few lamps that set a great mood. The cool, catchy instrumental music plays-while a few conversations are taking place all over. I watch as JoEllen gracefully moves back and forth serving up the different caffeinated drinks and excellent foods (with one sandwich available that is cleverly titled the "Sloppy JoEllen"). A customer with green hair eventually goes up to the gentleman and starts a game of chess. A few girls walk in looking for someone and eventually for a place to sit. A table of four is hurriedly turned into eight as more people join in the car conversation. A lone person walks in and heads straight for the bathroom. I look up from writing and observe the many cool things that are hanging from the ceiling. There is a black banner that mysteriously just has the word "Chocolate" written on it. There are cardboard cutouts of the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben hanging, too, which just adds to the diversity of the decor. The eclectic amount of stuff is amazing and enchanting in a way. The furniture is another crazy and fun thing that'll greet you when you go inside. One popular piece is the big, red velvet couch. It is incredibly comfortable and has a somewhat matching lamp next to it that has a red base and shade. A big egg-shaped chair sits in a corner near a massive amount of magazines for your reading pleasure. The Globe wouldn't be complete without a small assortment of globes. They all range in size and there is even a big globe ball sitting on the floor right by the door. The man playing chess remarks that this is the only place that he walks to nowadays when he goes anywhere and his opponent agrees. It is in walking distance of Tampa Bay and is near everything in the heart of the city. The car conversation grows louder and turns to talking about the people's disliking of Baywalk, the new entertainment/business complex that is just a few blocks away. I look up and start to end this writing with the realization that I have to work in a few minutes. Now, it's my turn to get people's caffeine levels skyrocketing and serve them up sugar buzzes and food. It's time for their healthy eats and tasty treats. The Globe Coffee Lounge is located at 532 1st Avenue North, just a block off of Central Avenue in beautiful downtown St. Petersburg. The hours are: Tuesday-Thursday: 10am- midnight Friday: 10am - after 3am Saturday: 1pm - after 3am There is also a brunch on the last Sunday of the month, which you shouldn't miss for anything. For more information, call 898-JAVA (5282). The website for The Globe will be up soon at: www.globecoffeelounge.com.