When I moved to JC, I really wanted to like Cafe Nia. It seemed cozy, affordable, and the sandwiches were well made. I was rooting for them.

But the hours were way off, and they were never opened when I needed them. The space in there was also awkward, and if there were more than two parties, they had no idea how to it fit more people comfortably. As someone mentioned, the staff was eh, all right. Not the warmest people. All this deterred me from actually caring about a place that seemed to care so little about itself too.

These were the same feelings I had about Bagua. Loved it the first time I went. But by the time I got home from work, they were already closed, and when I left for work in the morning they were not yet opened. Who did they want to serve?

Both these places had potential. Create a book club and meet there. Diversify your menu (as someone mentioned, no espresso or cookies at any of them). Host a poetry slam. Bagua could have set up a station at the Grove Plaza during the summer months with some refreshments.

None of these places raged against the dying of the light.