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The Encounter Cafe (Description of physical condition of site (What are…
The Encounter Cafe
Description of physical condition of site
What cultural values do such features communicate to you?
relationship between gratitude and mennonite ARTICLE*
Homey feel good for college students missing home ARTICLE*
SOFIE INTERVIEW, from netherlands and reminds her of home
their mission statement is to serve with peace
shown through wall art, green decor
Is there any trash, stray clothing, or other evidence of human occupation present
Fill yourself water
free refill coffee sam's favoritte
Coats wrapped around chairs
Clean but evidence people have been there (cups on tables)
What can you read into this trace evidence of human presence?
it is a popular spot according to dishes in the bin
What rhetoric is obvious or explicit (signs, displays, announcements, etc.)
"Start each day with a grateful heart" banner hung
relationship between gratitude and mennonite ARTICLE*
All interviewees like the motivation
Bicycle mounted with bread, a bottle of milk and carton of eggs in its' basket
Relationship between eggs, milk, bike, break and childhood and the "safe space" encounter is trying to create ARTICLE*
Reminds Meg of her bike at home
Two leather chairs and a couch surround a fireplace
Homey feel good for college students missing home ARTICLE*
Sofie international student comes to feel at home
What rhetoric is implied (position of doorways or entrances, use of plants or architectural materials, available seating, colors, design, decorations, etc.)
doorways on both corners, of two streets, advertising two streets
Pros of being on the corner ARTICLE*
Small tables for two people, booths, long tables, sofas
large group, small studying
Sofie likes that she can sit anywhere
What are the physical features of the location?
on the corner
Pros of being on the corner ARTICLE*
Sam passes it and was attracted because it looked healthy
Infront of a church - is is related to the owners?
Right on the edge of downtown (not in the busy part)
ARTICLE* quieter spots for breakfast / studying
all interviewees liked the "busy quiet"
History of the site
Find out about the history of this public space
Once owned by the University of Iowa, bought by Kalona's Mennonite Church
Was it always used in the way that it is being used today?
Originally an extension to the Music Department from the University of Iowa-- Choral program from 2008-2016
Location bought by the Mennonite Church
Voxman's construction was finished in 2016 relocating the Choral department to across the street
How has the space been organized and by whom?
Owned by the Sharon Bethel Mennonite Church in Kalona
Manager: Ray Yutzy
Board of 5 members form the Church
Learn about important events that happen in or have happened in the space and research these events
Coffee with a Cop
Iowa City Police Department and Encounter Cafe
Friday, February 23, 2018
"Opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know police officers in a relaxed setting over a cup of coffee"
Helps to create a safe and comforting atmosphere
Easter Program by the Sharon Bethel Youth
At the Encounter Cafe
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2018
Another this year, April 16th
Part of the Mennonite Church
1st Year Anniversary: 4 day special
Last Year
discounted coffee, $1 smoothies, free soft pretzels (gave away over 300+)
HOPE FOR FUTURE EVENT
Exchange students come in one evening to speak about their culture and prepare their favorite dishes from home
Have a different culture for each event
Cafe would provide the ingredients needed for the dishes
Relationship Between Mennonite Churches and Amish Communities
Both
believe in Anabaptism
The relationship with Christ must be an adult choice
Baptism as an adult
Differences
Amish
Amish split off from the Anabaptist group in 17th century --> Amish and the Mennonites
Most conservative compared to Mennonites
Amish disagreed with the Mennonite group about discipline
The Amish believed those that broke rules should be broken away from the Church
Mennonite
Old Order Mennonites
Closest to the Amish culturally
Dress plain (but different style than Amish)
Rely on horse and buggy for transportation
Agricultural heritage and maintain small labor-intensive farms as the Amish do
Speak Pennsylvania Dutch
Allow electricity and telephone in home, tractor
More conservative-- ALLOW AUTOMOBILE (standard dark color of vehicle)
"Modern" Mennonites
No different in appearance- dress and lifestyle, acceptance of cars, using the internet and modern technology, going on the higher education and professional jobs
-Shown by Mennonie higher educational institutions (Goshen College in Indiana, and Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia
Mission-oriented approach in world releif and evangelical efforts
Amish DO cooperate with Mennonites on charitable efforts
Amish prefer charitable efforts closer to home
Both
agree on basic Christian doctrine
Both
schunn secularism
Amish are more "strict" in that sense
Sources:
Websites
•
https://www.thegazette.com/subject/life/entertainment/food-drink/encounter-cafe-in-iowa-city-about-more-than-food-20170906
•
https://dailyiowan.com/2017/08/30/the-encounter-cafe-gets-cozy-with-iowa-city-debut/
•
https://littlevillagemag.com/mennonite-owned-encounter-cafe-opens-in-iowa-city/
•
http://facilities.uiowa.edu/named-buildings/voxman-music.html
•
https://music.uiowa.edu/about/our-history
•
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reformation
Description of daily activities
Families
sit down meal, place to spend quality time and talk
College students
Studying, group work, grab a quick bite to eat or cup of coffee, quite place to read or work
Elderly people
meet with friends/groups of people, grab a cup of coffee and talk
Working adults
Group meetings, cup of coffee or meal, quiet environment for discussion
What I noticed:
Lots of elderly people talking in groups and drinking coffee
Students with laptops and books (majority were international)
Staff picking up after people and talking with customers
Manager going around talking with people and asking if they need anything
Families eating together
Groups of working adults chatting and working
Stories from the community
Ray Yutzy: manager
Julio story
Julios frequent visits to the cafe and interactions with staff and Ray created a long-lasting impact on him and Ray
Became close enough that Julio (The customer) would visit Ray’s family on Thanksgiving and Christmas and introduce Julio to Mennonite and Amish communities
Julio came from Brazil so he probably didn't know many people at Iowa and didn't feel completely at home
Encounter felt like a home to him and the staff made him feel like family
Tiffany Bontrager: employee
Saw student at the Coralville mall that frequently comes into Encounter
recognized Tiffany from Encounter and told her that she always feels so at home there
Overview
Brief summary/ Introduction
Thumbnail sketch of public space
Features
very homey feel, fireplace in the corner with couches surrounding it; all white walls with unique classical decorations such as clocks, art, and flower vases
Users
Uiowa students, community members, visitors, etc.
Description of rest of report
The report involves background on the restaurant and the staffs connection with the first Mennonite church, along with stories from community members such as customers within the restaurant. Additionally, it includes desp
Assessment of the Public Space's Argument
Compose a robust assessment of the public space's arguments
After doing you field research, historical research, and conducting your interviews, what arguments do you believe are being made by the space?
The Encounter cafe is trying to create a feel-at-home type of atmosphere for the people in and around Iowa City, where you can come in and feel comfortable while Encountering (hence the name) something new, whether it be food, a culture, or even something as simple as meeting a new person
Their goal and mission statement is to serve with peace
Who is welcome to use the space and for what purposes?
Students can use it as a productive space to study and get work done; Community members can go in to get some coffee or sit down and have breakfast with friends and family.
There is no direct target audience, it is welcome to anybody and everybody, but the space is primarily used for a safe relaxed space to study and get work done, or to enjoy a meal or have some coffee