Goodbye to Wired Coffee

If you stopped by Wired Coffee for your usual on Monday morning pick-me-up, you may have thought it was an April Fool's Day prank--but the Sunset Hills coffee shop has shuttered its doors for good.

Owner Sue Hamer posted the following message to Wired's Facebook page early Monday:

"This is a hard facebook post for me to do.  I have not responded to posts because. I didn't have an answer until last night. We thought we had a buyer. It didn't work out. Wired Coffee is closed," she wrote.

"I've had a lot of personal loss in the last couple of months. Thank you for all your well wishes, support and advice. I'm looking at this as a new beginning. I know I will miss all my coworkers. They are all wonderful and will go on to do great things. I will miss the regular customers. Please try other local coffee shops. I know I will be at Hartford Coffee. Thanks for all your support and patronage."

Hamer confirmed that equipment and supplies will be auctioned off Monday night, 4-8 p.m., and remaining items will be auctioned Wednesday. 

She took over the space in November 2011.

Wired was the first coffee shop I visited in South County, when I was getting ready to transfer from my editor position in the Chicago suburbs to St. Louis. It was where I first met my current boss, as well as Mehlville-Oakville Patch's super-awesome former editor, Sarah Flagg (funny enough, she is now with Patch in Chicago). 

It's where I've met several people, actually, from members of the Sunset Hills Historical Society to the organizer of an open mic series that was launched right at Wired. Because for most residents, Wired was not simply a coffee and lunch spot. It was a place to catch up with friends, perform, get writing done, view works from local artists, and purchase goods from St. Louis brands (Billy Goat Chip Company, Hartford Coffee and Trail Lodge Tea, to name a few). Hamer was always game to help her community, whether it was offering homemade dog treats to benefit the Crestwood Animal Control shelter, or giving a regular a place to sell their Valentine's Day cards.

Several groups called it their regular meeting place--including South County Patch editors. I am so grateful to Sue and her staff. Not only did they offer a great space and free wi-fi, but they kept up with my ever-changing "regular" drink order.

I hope everyone joins me in saying good luck to Sue and her employees!

Are you a performer or member of a group who regularly meets at Wired? Share updates about venue changes with Editor Karlie Baker at karlie@patch.com.