Bella Cafe: In the News

Teens, families and area intellectuals who have long called Bella Cafe their home-away-from-home now have another reason.

The bagel shop and coffeehouse--which earned a reputation for its open mic nights and spirited chess tournaments--will celebrate its grand reopening this weekend in a new location, a refurbished house.

After nearly losing the beloved hangout, owner Will Wobbe, like many of his customers, is glad to be back in business.

In December, Bella Bagel Cafe was ousted from its Aquia Towne Center location. As Wobbe collected unemployment, patrons puzzled over what to do next.

"In 10 days we lost everything, and then, I guess, the community missed it so bad they rallied," said Wobbe.

Customers joined with Regester Chapel United Methodist Church to stage a benefit concert. The donated $3,000 was the spark Wobbe needed to resurrect the cafe, he said. "They kind of rose it back up."

Wobbe said the new digs have a more personal touch than the old location.

"It's very warm, and a lot of people who have come down here said it still carries that same spirit--same feeling--that we had at the other place."

Wobbe dropped the "Bagel" from the name in order to reflect the varied menu offerings, including burgers and gyros.

The new location also offers more visibility, he added.

At the old location, "generally they were coming over for Subway because they saw the Subway signs on the road. Here they see us, and it's been rewarding."

With an outdoor seating area that's more spacious than before, the cafe's open mic nights have been going strong since its "soft opening" about five weeks ago.

In addition to the live music Bella offers on Fri- day and Saturday nights, Tuesdays and Thursdays are chess nights, and Wob- be wants to encourage families to come on Wednesdays.

The biggest draw for many of Bella's customers, though, may still be the sense of community it offers every night of the week.

"There's just a lot of different ideas in here--that's kind of neat," said Wobbe.

"It's got a look like people all pitched in, like it belongs to everybody."

Ben Sellers: 540/374-5423

If you were to walk into Bella Bagel Cafe on any given afternoon, you would never guess that the small coffee shop is home to one of Stafford's newest rock bands.

You also would never guess that humble shop owner Will Wobbe (lead guitar, mandolin) and one of his employees, Alexinder Gunn (acoustic guitar, vocals, harmonica), are the brains of the operation. Along with band member Daniel Hicks (drums, guitar, bass, background music), Alexinder Gunn and the Hole in the Wall Band have just released their first full-length album, titled "Mercy."

While the band remains true to good, old-fashioned rock 'n' roll, it has ingeniously infused its one-of-a-kind sound into the music.

Gunn's vocals seem almost like an instrument in their own right, hitting the sliding notes of numerous runs perfectly.

The drums on the album are just enough that Hicks ensures the presence of a percussive element--however, they do not take away from the airy, gentle sound of the group.

Wobbe's lead guitar adds a finishing touch to the record; the heartfelt and beautifully executed riffs give the band its characteristic sound.

The songs "Rain" and "Passion Addict" can be described only as ethereal, whereas "Drive" follows more of a grungy rock pattern.

"Ain't Gonna Miss You" is Dylanesque, and the closing track, "Time," is a soft, acoustic ballad.

Wobbe's electric guitar weeps in "Off the Tracks," making it sound almost like a lullaby. But you have to see the band live to truly appreciate the chill-inducing vocal harmonies on "Kiss the Sky."

You would not expect such an extraordinary sound to come from a bunch of average Joes, right here in our own backyard--you definitely want to check out this album.

And if you're interested (and trust me, you're interested), they play free concerts every Saturday night at--where else?--Bella Bagel Cafe in Stafford's Aquia Towne Center.




DANIE FOX-MOLES is a rising senior at Mountain View High School.

Alexinder Gunn's words seem apt:

"The atmosphere and the personality of the place, that is the most appealing thing to people. Just the feeling of walking through the door."

The 18-year-old's thoughts describe his employer, Bella Bagel Cafe in Stafford County's Aquia Towne Centre.

Instead of the taste of alcohol and the sounds of partying, Bella Bagel offers teens a cup of coffee, a game of chess and an incredibly talented group of musicians.

"We wanted to give local artists the chance to play," explained Gunn, the star of open-mike night, held every Friday, "just to bring them in here."

Bringing people in is a masterful talent of the staff of Bella Bagel. Regular customers have nothing but the highest praise for the shop.

"It's awesome; I come here every day," said Daniel Hicks, 18. "It's like another home."

"Everyone's friends here," explains Mallory Cerny.

Richard Tarr, in between jokingly taunting an opponent across the table, offered an even simpler evaluation: "Great food, great chess."

The tables at Bella Bagel are adorned with checkerboards and ornate chess pieces, which are in almost constant use. Chess players compete in regularly held tournaments, and regulars fill the house on Tuesdays and Fridays, the official nights to play.

Myriad paintings of every tone, subject and size, all the work of local artists, fill Bella Bagel's walls.

In the corner, guitars, amps and other musical paraphernalia are visible.

Teenagers shuffle in and out of the quaint, comfortable restaurant, exchanging warm greetings with one another.

The man responsible for this melting pot of eclecticsm--Will Wobbe--has created a small haven for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Take Saturday, for example.

New Year's Eve's Open Mic Night at Bella Bagel boasted an extraordinary display of talent from three undiscovered guitarists--not to mention Wobbe himself, who jammed out on a Fender Telecaster that patrons gave him as a Christmas present last year.

Gunn sang Bob Dylan-style folk music that had the crowd spellbound. Backed by Bella's own The Hole in the Wall band, Gunn released his first song, "Mercy," through the restaurant.

The band, which has been known to draw passers-by at Aquia Towne Centre while jamming outside in the summertime, filled the shop's confines using only word-of-mouth advertising.

Next up on Saturday night was Lou Cannon, who played an original song with bedazzling finesse and melody.

"How can you play such beautiful music with no pick?!?" Jeff Brown-Hill asked.

The questioner and his twin, Brian, performed next. The act is a rare one: 9-year-olds playing blues with prodigious skill.

"Those kids are amazing," exclaimed Mike Lang, a graduate of Stafford High School.

The two young guitarists rocked the house with their own compositions and on-point blues renditions of hits such as "I Shot the Sheriff."

"Last year in the summer we didn't want McDonald's, and so we went here and met Will," said Jeff, one half of the J & B Blues Project.

Indeed. On Bella Bagel's counter lie a plethora of bumper stickers: "Friends Don't Let Friends Drink at Starbucks," "Independents Do It Without Chains," and, the most telling, a picture of a coffee mug with the words, "I'm a Friend of Will W."

"It's more than food," Wobbe said, taking time between answering a reporter's questions to greet friends and take orders. "It's about people.

"People that would normally not associate do. We serve our customers with good food, not fast food. And it is done with TLC."

Wobbe works from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. nearly every day, and it's clear that this little restaurant is incredibly dear to him and to many local teens.

As Christmas season came and went, Wobbe received letters of the highest praise from a wide range of sources.

One letter, written in the kind of girlish pink ink one would expect to adorn a gossiping school note, thanked Wobbe for giving local teenagers a safe, loving place to interact far from the temptation and danger of traditional teenage socializing.

"The first time I came here I loved it," said Brittney Kauffman, a graduate of Brooke Point High School. "All the people are awesome, and it has a great atmosphere."

That point is underscored by cards overflowing with words of gratitude that fill the hangout.

"People would be hurt if this place shut down," Wobbe explained as he segued into showing off his Chuck Taylor high-tops, a gift from a teenage friend.



JOE HOLMES is taking a year off and will be attending college in the fall.

Gunn, Alexinder & The Hole In The Wall Band Mercy CD

Bella Bagel Cafe', home to Will Wobbe (owner) is where it all began. Will has been playing electric guitar since childhood (to be continued)Alexinder Gunn and the Hole in the Wall Band have live concerts every Sat. night in Stafford, VA at a little shop called Bella Bagel Cafe'. Music starts around 8 and ends around 11, swing by if you have a chance to check them out and a few more rising local stars.
This CD has been about a year's effort and the dream of a lifetime. Hope you enjoy it and God Bless.

Track Listing:

1. Prelude To Mercy
2. Kiss The Sky
3. Mercy
4. I'll Be Waiting
5. Rain
6. Drive
7. Off The Tracks
8. Ain't Gonna Miss You
9. Passion Addict
10. Whispering Stars
11. Time