October 25, 2006 10:57 PM
"And where does the well-read European go for a little lamplight and liqueur in Prague? Of course The Globe Bookstore and Coffeehouse is queen bee and ever shall be..."
-Frommer's Guide
Here's the story of the adventurous Americans in Prague who have installed their own boho haven in the middle of Bohemia.
"Truth in books and life in coffee"
Welcome to the Globe Bookstore and Coffeehouse! For the past ten years, we have been making great coffee, serving healthy food and selling the best selection of English language books found anywhere in Prague. It’s no wonder that guide books worldwide have agreed to call us a “Prague Institution”: a home-away-from-home for both travellers and ex-pats, and simply a nice place to hang out for all of Prague’s locals.
Back in 1993, when the first wave of post-revolution expatriate life was at its height, five Americans opened the original Globe in Prague’s unpolished Holesovice district. The street was Janovskeho, and the landlord was crazy.
Nevertheless, we hoped to bring a little San Francisco style coffeehouse atmosphere to this beautiful city. After a renegade approach to reconstruct a Communist era laundry mat, we opened our doors in July with the steadfast motto: “..in libris veritas; in kava vita.” The fun has never stopped since.
Writers and poets
Emerging writers and poets (as well as those more established) have rubbed shoulders here at the Globe. William Styron, Jachym Topol, Richard Ford, Ivan Klima, Amy Tam, Ludvik Vaculik, Richard Ford, Julian Barns, P.J. O’Rourke, Gore Vidal have all been here over the years. Even Alan Ginsberg came to visit, although he bashed our poetry section for its “lack of edge”.
It is great that the Globe has become a natural venue for interesting cultural events, as we’ve always enjoyed hosting a good reading, discussion, art show, or an evening of live music. Even lingering chess games are fine, as long as someone is ordering coffee.
Moving on
Of course, much changed for the Globe in 2000, when two of the original owners, Marketa and Scott Rogers stayed on and relocated the store to this new Prague 1 address. No easy task.
The space is beautiful. Built in 1895, it was Café Olympia, followed by the reign of a Communist era chef of an elementary school cafeteria until 1992. Imagine the pork and knedliky served here during those days! And after that the building was misused as a storehouse.
With a new landlord (and, latterly, new owners, Mike Cella and colleague), the Globe is now larger, more “polished”, internet connected, and still following the steadfast course of finding “truth in books and life in coffee.” Further development is planned for 2007.
A warm welcome and a tempting menu
Today, however, we are certain that you will find our menu offers a tasty selection of healthy, appetizing and delicious food.
Whether you are a first time customer or a cherished regular, we hope you enjoy your sojourn with us at the Globe!
The Globe Bookstore & Coffeehouse
Pštrossova 6, 110 00, Praha 1
~ near Metro Stations: Národní Třída and Karlovo Náměstí
** Open EVERY DAY from 09.30 to MIDNIGHT **
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