Happy birthday, Cherry Street Artisan!

Downtown coffee shop/entertainment venue turns 5

The Cherry Street Artisan, one of Columbia’s favorite spots for java and jazz, is celebrating a huge milestone this weekend with its 5th Birthday Bash.

The weekend’s events start Friday with a 12 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony and entertainment by regulars Doc Howard’s Fiddle Band and pianist Pack Matthews. Throughout the evening, rockers Rutherford, indie-phenom Miller Howell and Columbia favorite Noah Earle all take center stage.

On Saturday, bluegrass band Gainor & Friends begins a jam-packed day of music, followed by music by Moondog Goodman and readings by writer Scott Cairns. Ending the bash are two acts that always fill the room with dancing: the Joe Willett Jazz Ensemble and Los Desterrados.

Performing arts always have played an integral role in the Cherry Street Artisan. Owners Susan Murray and then-husband Tom Bair were inspired to open the café because of their talented children.

“Our kids were involved in the arts and music, and we just wanted to create a place where they could display what they enjoyed doing, whether it be on stage or on the walls,” Murray said.

At first, the gutted basement of the Strollway Center didn’t look like a coffee haven, with black walls, covered windows and a trench through the center of the former Shattered nightclub. Yet a warmer paintjob and the addition of comfy couches quickly elevated the Artisan, even amid debate about the café’s unusual no-smoking policy.

“Right from the beginning, we were welcomed,” said business manager Laurie Mcallister. “We had our first thousand-dollar day within the first month and needed to renovate and add a kitchen in six months. We’ve learned to cope with the flux in population that comes with the city.”

The Artisan always has had an emphasis on health, serving fresh, homemade products and creating signature drinks like the chaitini. Oddly, Murray and Mcallister say the one feature consumers tend to overlook is that the house is open for breakfast.

“We change for every part of the day, from morning breakfast quiches to live music through lunch and all the way into the evening,” said Murray. Some favorite events over the years have included weddings, dinner-theater shows and poetry slams.

The birthday celebration will provide a sampling for loyal customers.

“The bash is full, with some of our favorites throughout the years—like Joe Willett and Noah Earle,” said Murray. “There’s a little something for every genre, as well as giveaways and specials.”