{image1}Paper covers rock; rock crushes scissors; scissors cut paper.

You know the game, but did you know it's called "Rochambo" -- just like the coffee and tea house at 1317 E. Brady St.?

The popular hangout named for a popular decision-making hand game closed its doors on March 4 to do major renovations for the first time in five years. The owners reopened last week.

"We are taking Rochambo to the next level. When we started it nine years ago it was my husband and I and a bunch of his friends putting it together," says co-owner Melissa Miller. "We've hired professionals to do the renovations this time so it will be a little more polished, but will not lose it's Bohemian charm."

The back bar will be completely redesigned to provide more space for the teas and retail merchandise, the floors are being refinished and the second floor has been opened up to overlook the first floor. Melissa and her husband, Michael, decided to make the changes because the ceiling and structure needed repairs, and in the process made aesthetic improvements as well.

"I am personally very distraught at having to be closed for such a long time and to displace all of our loyal customers, but we decided to look at the positive and make other changes as well," says Melissa.

{image2}Melissa and Michael both grew up in Milwaukee; Melissa went to Nicolet High School and Michael went to Marquette. After college, the couple later traveled around Europe to gain inspiration for their future business.

"The one theme that always came into play for us was the welcoming environment we found in European cafes," says Melissa, who got her undergraduate degree from Arizona State. "That is exactly how we wanted our business to be. We believe in supporting locally owned businesses and we are proud to be one."

Rochambo will continue to have poetry readings on Sunday nights and music performances one Thursday a month. Along with a wide selection of coffee and tea, they will continue to serve bakery items, wine and microbrews and their self-proclaimed "fabulous" Irish coffee.

"Rochambo is truly a unique Milwaukee business because it has a heart and a soul," says Melissa, who claims five couples met at her shop and were later married.

"It's heart and soul comes from the dream we had, the energy we've put in and the collective energy from the employee's and customers."

Paper caresses rock; rock love-taps scissors; scissors penetrate paper.