Last Saturday I spend a leisurely afternoon in Black Mountain, a town that until recently I’ve associated solely with hiking at Montreat, calzones at My Father’s Pizza, and coffee at the Dripolator—usually in that order. But now all that’s changed, since I discovered JaVin Herbal Tea House, a cafe-vintage clothing store-community center at 15 Black Mountain Ave.
If you happen to be a fan of beach towns, then JaVin will likely remind you of many of your favorite places rolled into one. Part Lost Dog Cafe in Folly Beach, S.C., part Pirate Haus Inn & Hostel in St. Augustine, Fla., part Trans Love Bakery in Treasure Beach, Jamaica … all crammed into a bursting-at-the seams Victorian house that has served, over the years, as a hippy-crash pad and a health food store. “We’re pretty much hippies here,” laughs owner Debi, who’s run JaVin for the past 2 1/2 years.
Open most days around 1 p.m., the cafe-store-gathering place has a fairly free-form schedule. Drop by to listen to impromptu music on the front porch. Troll through tightly packed rooms for antique kitchenware, vintage pocketbooks, paisley gowns or sepia photographs. Wind your way to the back for a cup of fair trade coffee, a muffin, or a jar of locally-made fig preserves.
JaVin has this laid back (dare I say) vibe, which is well-suited to the slower pace of Black Mountain. It’s not like there’s any place you really need to get to. Most of the town is enjoying retirement. After half-an-hour kicked back on the porch sipping java and pondering the Christian-run ice cream bus next door, you begin to get into the JaVin mindset. It’s one of those “there ain’t no place just like this place anywhere near this place so this must be the place” places. Some of the upstairs rooms are rented out. The downstairs front room serves as an open mic. There’s a women’s “almost-vegetarian” potluck at 1 p.m. Wednesdays and a Zen meditation class on Sundays at 1 p.m.
Looking to stay awhile? Friday evenings bring a jam session with drumming, chili and cornbread. Saturdays offer reggae music, crab races and Caribbean potato curry.
Looking for an excuse to check the place out? Try stopping by this Saturday (April 21) for an all-day Earth Day event. Parking lot party, poetry readings, vendors, music, drumming, fire dancing and more. Vendor spaces go for $15; no cover for entry to the party. Call 664-0088 for info.
—Alli Marshall, A&E reporter
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