MEANDERINGS/Cafe Society at St. Elmo’s

Photo by Kirsten Obadal/Local Kicks On Tuesday, Nora Partlow stood in front of artwork by clients of St. Luke's House. For the next few weeks, St. Elmo's is featuring artwork by the clients of Maryland's St. Luke’s House, which treats patients for diagnosed mental illnesses. It is a subject that's well familiar to Partlow; her grown son suffers from such an illness.

ALEXANDRIA, VA. -  There are places you can go for a cup of coffee, such as Starbucks; and then there are places you can go to socialize, read, have a good conversation, or just think over a good cup of joe.  

St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub is the latter, a true coffee house and neighborhood meeting place.

For the past 14 years, the Mount Vernon Avenue  in Del Ray has been uplifted by the presence of St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub.  

Proprietor Nora Partlow sat down Tuesday to discuss her latest community uplift venture.  This time, it is for a cause that's close to home.  

Photo by Kirsten Obadal/Local Kicks "Copper Sun" by artist James Long

For the next few weeks, St. Elmo's is featuring artwork by the clients of Maryland's St. Luke’s House, which treats patients for diagnosed mental illnesses. It is a subject that's well familiar to Partlow, as her grown son suffers from such an illness.

The walls at St. Elmo’s are constantly arrayed with art: Local artists, touring shows, and this time, some highly creative work by special artists with special challenges.  

Many of the artists in this particular show claim inspiration from renowned artist Vincent Van Gogh, whose mindbending work and famous ear-slicing episode have caused many to speculate that he, too, suffered from some form of mental illness.  

Photos of selected works by artists Nicole Black and James Long are featured, and both artists’ bios mention the influence of Van Gogh in their work.  

The artists will be present at St. Elmo’s for a reception on Sunday, Jan. 10, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Partlow has a long history of uplifting her community through the presence of her shop.

“I generally employ students, and for many of them, it's their first job," she said.  "Sometimes I find myself mentoring them with regard to basic skills, such as sweeping the floor, washing dishes, or the most prudent way to spend and save their paychecks, and many of them stay with me after graduation.”  

Partlow’s employees are predominantly locals who were able to walk to work during the recent snowstorm in order to keep the shop open, she said.

Partlow is an active leader in the Del Ray Business Association, and her own community service includes activities with the Volunteer Bureau and Carpenter’s Shelter.  

Photo by Kirsten Obadal/Local Kicks "Stellar Grapes" by artist Nicole Black

“I meet with other business owners, especially women, to mentor them with the perspective of my experience,”  she said, adding that she frequently meets one-on-one with new business owners to impart entreprenurial advice.   

St. Elmo is the patron saint of sailors, and the famous namesake for the lightning displays that would be attached to the masts of oceangoing vessels during storms (i.e. "St. Elmo’s Fire.")  

In Partlow, Del Ray certainly has its own patron saint. And a fiery, determined small business owner at that.

St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. and Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  and features live music by local musicians four times a week.  Their Web site may be found at www.stelmoscoffeepub.com.   For information about St. Luke’s House, call Eric Gordon at (301) 493-4200 x 160.