Coffee, Conversation, and Creativity

There are many hidden talents to be found in Edwards, Colo. This small mountain town is home to artists of all sorts. Musical, visual, culinary, and all other varieties of showmen are bound to be seen touring the two and half mile area. But one only needs to look for a good cup of coffee to find one of the most interesting and friendly characters in Edwards. Enter Fern Leonardo, a multifaceted man about town.

In the far east corner of Riverwalk in the Bookworm Café, you’re bound to find Fern Leonardo steaming up some milk for a perfectly assembled cappuccino and shooting the breeze with whoever passes by. Fern has been head barista at the Bookworm for over five years and anybody who has ventured around town for an espresso, a book, or just a comfortable place to think has run into Fern and shared a few words with the Italian immigrant while he sculpts flowers, hearts, and even faces into the top of each foamy cup. He truly is an everyman, a man of the people.

Custom Conversation

Whether you’re a regular at the Bookworm or new to the scene will inevitably wind up in a unique conversation at the coffee counter with the man in the newsboy cap. “I’ve always been interested in people,” Leonardo said. “I don’t believe in small talk. There’s always something important to be talked about. “

The topic of the day could be local events, politics, sports, food, or any particular book brought his way. He seems to have read over half the Bookworm’s inventory and always has a specific recommendation for each person he sees.  After five plus years of dishing out the local caffeine and chatter demand Leonardo claims that he has never had a remotely similar conversation twice. “I may have been at this same job for half a decade, but every day is a new experience for me,” Leonardo said.

For those who have gotten familiar enough with Fern over the years are usually treated to their own personalized beverages. Many regulars at the coffee and literature shot will notice their drink being started as soon as they enter the store.  If business is slow enough, you may find a wholly original piece of artwork delicately engraved into the foam of what many call the best coffee in the valley.

Other Talents

One of Fern's coffee creations, made for no extra cost.

Several years working steam and milk is practice enough to hone this drinkable craft, but Leonardo’s extensive career as a painter doesn’t hurt either. His elaborate metallic canvases line the walls of the café, but he has made quite the impression in the community showcasing his art in various galleries around town and even in rival coffee shops. Loaded Joes Coffee House and Bar in Avon, Colo., has not only displayed and sold several of Leonardo’s paintings, but also showcased his musical talents.

A regular face at Joes’ open mics, Fern has gained a following for his soothing Bossa-nova guitar style mixed with Italian vocals he writes himself. The impressed management decided to give him his own live show. Little print advertisement was circulated for the show; yet simple word of mouth endorsements for the popular barista generated a full house come show time two weeks ago. And though the gig was organized just for Fern, complete with his own art gallery, he proved to be a true man of the people by inviting over 20 local musicians and random people from the crowd to share the stage and jam with him. If that wasn’t enough, he donated all profits made form art and drink sales to charity, and even got behind the bar to help with drink orders during the set break.

So if its fine art, music, coffee or just a friendly face you’re looking for, Fern Leonardo is the man to see when in the Vail Valley.