This cappuccino was decorated by Josh Gilmartin, background, of Suisun City at Café Voltaire, recently opened by former councilwoman Jan Cox-Golovich in the Tannery on Benicia's First Street. Photo: David Pacheco/Times-Herald

At least that's how Jan Cox-Golovich, 50, owner of the new shop sees it. Café Voltaire opened in mid-August.

"It's a communal table styled after European coffee houses," Cox-Golovich said recently from her new business digs in the Tannery Building.

"We already do have a lot of great conversations," said the former Benicia City Councilwoman and former high school government teacher.

There have been discussions envisioning the future of First Street and about Measure J, an initiative

		Former councilwoman Jan Cox-Golovich, left, has opened Café Voltaire in the Tannery on Benicia's First Street. Photo: David Pacheco/Times-Herald

It's great coffee and conversation that Cox-Golovich wants. And it's great coffee and conversation some of shop's regulars are excited about.

"It looks great," said Susan Street, owner of Help-U-Sell Real Estate on First Street.

"She really listened to people on what needs to be there," Street added. "A number of people like to make it their daily place to go."

In addition Voltaire offers assorted coffee drinks, lemonade, scones, sugar cookies and coffee cakes.

Cox-Golovich says she's assembled her unique Café Voltaire products from local venders, through fair trade and organic ingredients.

Coffee beans come from local wholesaler Duvall Coffee Roasting, who gets his beans for a fair price, Cox-Golovich said.

Yes, despite having retired from teaching, Golovich is trying to get people to think and learn something new.

Voltaire, the coffee shop's namesake, was an 18th century French philosopher who Cox-Golovich said was the Jon Stewart of his day.

"He advocated for free speech and social justice," Cox-Golovich said of Voltaire. "That's what I've always championed."

The shop is tailored specifically for Benicia, Cox-Golovich said.

Corporately owned coffee shops, like the new Starbucks across the street from Café Voltaire, have a more rigid business model, Cox-Golovich said.

Cox-Golovich said she envisions poetry readings and French lessons inside the shop.

Street said she wants to give the new business owner a croquet set, to include in a picnic basket of shop goodies that patrons can use at the First Street Green.

She opened the coffee shop new, because the timing is right, Cox-Golovich said.

She said she and her husband, Stan, have no debts, the house is paid for and her two daughters have graduated from college.

"I wanted to do something of interest," Cox-Golovich said. "When I go here, I have a smile on my face."

Cox-Golovich says she's unfazed by the competition.

"There's not a finite market for people getting together with friends," Cox-Golovich said.

Café Voltaire

Owner: Jan Cox-Golovich

Type: Coffee shop

Location: 129 A St., Benicia

First opened: Aug. 16.

Hours: Open every day at 7am

Phone: 746.1952

Web: http://www.cafevoltairebenicia.com/