According to recent public records, a new independent cafe is coming to Melbourne. Set for 728 East New Haven Avenue, Moon River Cafe & Curiosities will soon liven up the growing central Florida town.
A thorough recent article in FIT’s Crimson reports that Florida Tech professor Kate Broderick came up with the idea for the cafe after a bout with COVID led her to reckon with her own mortality, renewing the potential of her future.
“The day the lease opened for a former thrift shop in downtown Melbourne was the same day Broderick got the all-clear from her doctor. When she was in high school, Broderick and her mom used to always walk past the building downtown and think to themselves: ‘This would be the perfect place for a cafe,” the report states, adding that the landlord was looking for a local, independent owner to take over the building, rather than another corporate chain.
“She was looking for something to lift up the community,” Broderick said to the publication. “I probably gave the worst offer, but I was the only independent owner. Everyone else was from a larger corporation.”
Despite Broderick’s original plan to take over another cafe/restaurant and thus make it her own, the convenience of the now-open thrift store space informed her nascent plans.
“The inspiration behind the name of the cafe came from the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s. When she was younger, Broderick’s mom used to sing the lullaby Moon River, which has always been a core memory for her,” the report states.
“Family is so important,” Broderick said. “My mom was my main inspiration behind my love of hospitality, and that song has always been so special to us.”
The coffee shop will prominently display the work of local artists, it adds.
“We have been working with musicians, artists, actors and authors in addition to having an entire wall dedicated to local art,” Broderick said. “Supporting the arts community is so critical right now because our county and state have defunded 100% of the arts program. I’ve been getting to know a few of the local artists around Melbourne and they have been amazing.”
In way of food and beverage selection, the cafe will emulate the European coffeehouse style.
“Europe heavily influenced many of the choices, especially the European cafe culture,” Broderick said. “Their cafe culture is very different from ours; getting food here is a very rushed process, but if I were to sit in a cafe in France for three hours, nobody would think that was weird.”
Reportedly, Broderick’s favorite items on the menu are the Belgium waffles and espresso. No opening date has been set.
