The opening of Common Ground offers locals an alternative coffee lounge experience along the lines of a chic French bistro.

Ellen Schmitz and Randy Stafford are the owners of the cafe, formerly the Hungry Bear, which re-opened in early March following extensive renovations.

Ms Schmitz said she wanted Common Ground to be a more contemporary venue attracting a diverse and upscale clientele.

To accommodate the conceptual ideas for the eatery, Mr. Stafford and Ms Schmitz also wished to extend the hours of operation. The hours of Common Ground are from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"Presently we are a breakfast and lunch destination but we are taking gradual steps to offer a comfortable place to have coffee and desert throughout the early evening. We anticipate this happening as we get closer to the summer," Mr. Stafford said.

"We are now in a restaurant row with Fresco's, Bistro J, Tuscany and Cafe Cairo located nearby and we are looking to be a spot where people may meet prior having dinner or coming here afterwards and having a nice dessert.

"We may also have event nights on Wednesdays with Harbour Nights on Front Street and we are hoping if somebody wants to have a particular special event, catered by us or somebody else, we can make that happen."

The interior of Common Ground has been designed to reflect the new ambience of the cafe, framed with new light fixtures and a vibrant blackberry wine colour scheme, and a silver finish on the arches designed to present a more pleasing visual experience.

The upgrade also includes new tiling and seating arrangements and a new sound system has been introduced to enable customers to listen to wide selection of music, perhaps Jazz music, easy listening or satellite radio music.

Newspapers such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and the Financial Times are also available at the cafe.

"We want to be a world coffee bar serving a variety of international coffee such as Cuban coffee. A selection of sweet and savoury Crepes, soups, fresh fruit salads, and the popular grilled Panini and custom made sandwiches are also on offer," Ms Schmitz said.

"We also do a breakfast with a fresh fruit salad, low-fat vanilla yoghurt and home made Granola which we call Ellen's Granola," Mr. Stafford said.