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By Darrell Williams, As more and more young Nicaraguan’s look to the English language as a means of advancing their future prospects, the need for quality literature to read becomes a necessity.
At El Gato Negro bookstore and coffeehouse in San Juan Del Sur those needs are being catered for in abundance.
On the eve of their three-year anniversary Rob and Kelly Thomas can rightly feel proud of what they have achieved in that time.
“Kelly and I moved from Houston, TX to change our lives and have an adventure,” Rob says.  “This was our first foray into running a small business, neither of us had experience in running a bookstore or restaurant operation”.
Prior to moving to Nicaragua, Kelly worked independently as a graphic designer, interior designer, and stock investor.  Rob worked as a commodities trader for a major US corporation.
El Gato Negro was the first English bookstore in Nicaragua and continues to possess one of the largest collections of great literature in Central America.  They probably can lay claim to having the largest collection of books on Nicaraguan history/politics outside of a university research library - and quite honestly, probably better than most research libraries.
The coffeehouse has become a haven for many travelers who seek tranquility over revelry during their Nicaraguan experience.
The coffeehouse serves only Nicaraguan organic, shade grown, Arabica coffees.  Their coffees come from small farms, including one co-owned by them. The coffees are not blends, but single source, meaning the cup of coffee you are drinking is of coffee from one harvest and one farm. Their coffees are roasted on the premises in small batches and prepared with care.
El Gato Negro tries to use only natural, organic, and local products whenever possible.  The homemade espresso fudge brownies, the famous banana chocolate muffins and the caramel sticky buns from the local bakery are amazing.
It really is just a great place to hang out in the swinging chairs and catch up with the latest magazines and papers from abroad. Play a game of Scrabble, or if you cannot pry the game away from Kelly, Backgammon, Cranium, Pictionary, Mille Borne, or Apples to Apples. If you are feeling creative, check out the occasional art classes. Or find the right book and head down to the beaches in search of a hammock and some shade
They are located one block from the beach in San Juan del Sur. Opening hours are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, mas o menos. In November they will again be open three evenings per week serving vegetarian dinners prepared with love by Chef Nicholas Bowman.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor there is no better place to relax with a caramel sticky bun, a great cup of Joe with the words of literary icons all around you.