A plea: Help save a coffee shop

Just read a story in the St. Petersburg Times, and can't decide if I should be sad or inspired.
Turns out the owner of one of my favorite coffee shops has decided to call it quits. Michael Duranko, who has owned the cafe for about 18 months, last week told his staff that he just couldn't carry the financial burden, writes Waveney Ann Moore.

We've seen this happen before, unfortunately. Too many times. The little shop on First Avenue South in downtown St. Pete has gone through several owners in the past few years. Each time, new guys move in, add new furniture, new fixtures, make it all even prettier than before. There's a cute courtyard in the back, nice artwork by local artists on the walls, and great coffee and other treats. Lots of organic, lots of vegan, even.

So what happened? Don't we all still drink coffee?

Maybe the location is to blame? It's convenient to the Times, and a lot of us go there quite often, but maybe it's just a few blocks too removed from the real center of downtown?
Maybe it's the economy? More people just drinking coffee at home?
Maybe it's competition: two Starbucks within walking distance.

No matter the reason, we're sad to hear it's not working out ...

But now, the inspirational part:

The coffee shop's three employees -- Kyle DeStefano, 24, Nathalia Estrada, 25, and Ellen Auger, 26 -- aren't giving up on the shop. They plan to take over, keep it going, liven it up, the Times reports. They're planning a game night, jazz night, all sorts of fun things.

The owner hopes to help them with the transition, and is optimistic the three 20-somethings will make it. The landlord isn't so sure, Rent's $3,000 a month, he tells the Times, and three budding entrepreneurs might have a hard time paying that.

Of course, I hope they make it. From what I've seen, the three all work really hard, and seem ambitious and dedicated. And the coffee there is great.

So, here is a plea: If you're downtown, stop by their coffee shop, Local Coffee+Tea, at 330 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. And if you can make it there Saturday, they're having a benefit to raise money for the shop. $10 gets you in, for music, snacks, fun.

I know we all have our own budget issues, and I know we can't save every business out there. But independent businesses keep our communities going, they keep our neighborhoods unique, and they keep our local economy going.
So anything you can do to keep them afloat is definitely most welcome.