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 It is not "Boozers,"
"Bushers" or "Buisers," but "Boot-zers".
The new coffeehouse pub is named after Martin Bucer, who played
a prominent role during the religious reformations in the 1500s,
where he was a leader in the South German movement, though his
ideals were often questioned. He is considered the third most
influential German reformer, after Luther and Melanchthon.
Dean Hellekson and Gary Greenfield are the owners and force behind
Bucer's. They correlate Bucer's work with their attempts to bring
culture to downtown Moscow.
Bucers opened last Thursday and features coffee drinks, wine,
and microbrews including Guinness on tap as well a pale ale.
They also sell pastries, sandwiches, pipe tobacco and cigars.
In the near future, they expect to finish remodeling the back
rooms, where they have proposed a cigar and pipe smoking room
as well as an eating area.
With an aged and distinguished feel, the inside of Bucer's allows
for a relaxed atmosphere. A large walnut table, which seats several
people, takes up most of the front room. This table and the surrounding
chairs, circa 1920s, were bought from a loft in New York and
refinished to add to the antiquated feel of the coffeehouse.
The coloring of the interior is warm and accented by the refinished
wood and green color of the furniture.
The owners of Bucer's think the distinguished décor and
group seating will lend to a communal feeling of informal public
forums where complete strangers will feel free to engage each
other with discussions of ideas.
This design is thought to break down the inhibition between strangers
seated directly next to and across from each other.
The simple lighting design is subdued and unobtrusive, lending
to the quiet nature of the establishment.
There are games to play as well as books available for reading
while customers engage in their drink of choice.
Towering over the customers is a giant bookshelf against the
wall featuring a large variety of books for sale. The selection
of books spans from Jack Kerouac to the Bible and books about
pipe smoking.
They also sell the textbooks for New St. Andrews Private College.
This draws in New St. Andrews' students and the hopes are that
they will draw in more university students and community members
alike.
"It's like a little slice of Bellingham in the middle of
Moscow," said Rachel Thompkins, English and history major
at the University of Idaho.
Bucer's is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. to
midnight on weekends. They are the first late-night coffeehouse
in downtown Moscow since the VOX closed its doors in 1998.
Bucer's is a very different coffeehouse than the VOX, but is
sure to find an unexploited niche in the Moscow scene.
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New coffehouse/pub adds flavor to Moscow