Coffee Shop Owner Wants Gatsby Grind to be Fenton's Living Room

Fady Elias doesn’t want the to be just another coffee shop.

He wants it to be Fenton’s living room.

After running a couple of Internet cafes in Lebanon, he moved to Fenton in 2007 to be with his wife. Elias said he had trouble finding a quiet place to hang out in town. He decided to open Gatsby Grind at 14330 North Fenton Road near Sagebrush Cantina to give people a place to relax. The shop opened Feb. 19. Elias also decided to translate his love of the 1920s and the Great Gatsby to the new shop’s theme.

“The 1920s was so rich. In this depressed economy, what’s better than the roaring 20’s when business was booming and things were good,” Elias said.

Elias is using a 1920s type mustache as his logo and is found on many of the shop’s cups. He has a large screen set up on one side of the café, which will show old black and white videos. He has a guitar sitting in the corner that he said anyone can pick up and play. Elias hopes to bring in a piano as well. He also hopes to work with local artists and display their artwork.

In addition to tables, comfortable chairs and a couch next to a fireplace, he has a separate room that is available to rent for business meetings. Elias said it fits 10-15 people and includes Wi-Fi, a projector and a phone line. The package, which will start around $25 an hour, will also come with coffee and pastries.

The shop’s pastries come from . Elias hopes to bring in other local foods as well.

“I’m trying to build that bridge between local business and offer healthy foods like soups and sandwiches,” Elias said.

The shop is open from Monday until Saturday from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. Elias plans to host a grand opening at the end of March.

Elias has claimed his business listing on Fenton Patch and is able to add photos, events and specials to the site at no cost. Business owners can do the same by .