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While strolling down K Street, some might have noticed a change to one of midtown’s favorite gathering spots. True Love coffeehouse has shut down and is now the Jasmine Café.

First opened in 2001 by music man Kevin Seconds and his wife Allyson, the former True Love coffeehouse opened up on J Street before moving to K Street in 2006, positioning itself with nearby bars and eateries such as Golden Bear and Rick’s Dessert Diner. The coffeehouse then moved upstairs to Sanad’s Mediterranean Deli and closed up shop along with the deli a few weeks ago.

There is much speculation about the reasons for the closure and the current owner believes it was mainly “paperwork” issues but others believe it was an ordinance imposed by the city that would not allow retail sales out of the upper units of buildings in the area. Instead of moving back downstairs to the coffeehouse’s former home, Seconds closed up shop and took off on a solo music tour.

True Love coffee lovers need not despair, though. Owner Mo Mahfouz plans on keeping the coffee drinks as well as the vegetarian selections the same for now. There will, however, be some minor kinks to the café’s live music scene but customers will be happy to know that Mahfouz has decided to keep that tradition alive.

Kevin Santos-Coy of KLSCstudio has been a major player in the Sacramento art scene for the past 15 years and may have perhaps single-handedly saved Jasmine’s live music scene.

On a visit to True Love, he met Mahfouz and shortly after proposed coordinating the café’s entertainment.

“I went over there…and saw some portable stages. I found out [Seconds] wasn’t around anymore and asked Mahfouz if I could borrow the stages. I’ve been building the relationship ever since,” said Santos-Coy.

While not exactly the same as Seconds’s mixture of the punk/indie/alternative rock genre, Santos-Coy is focused on offering a wide range for the audience’s listening pleasure. He has a different musical genre planned for each day of the week and is working on collaborating with the local music community, such as Brian Valentine from Valentine Records.

The café is permitted to host live music until 10 p.m. every night as long as they stay within city decibel requirements, which can't surpass 75 dBs at anytime according to the Sacramento County noise ordinance. As long as the neighbors are okay with the noise, they will continue to host music acts every night for the first couple of months to get the word out around town.

In addition to music, Santos-Coy will be working on Jasmine’s presence during the Second Saturday art walk. A part of Bridge to Arts and Alley Arts, he will be making sure that art lines the walls of Jasmine for the monthly art celebration.

Within the next month and a half owner Mahfouz has plans to expand the café’s previous menu, which has been known for featuring a wide range of noshing options from waffles to nachos and hummus. He is working on adding barbeque menu offerings as well as beer and wine. He is also working on setting up free wireless internet access, which was offered by True Love.

As part of the reggae-themed night, Jasmine will be hosting DoubleLion, a combo band made up of Xsample and Kinghopeton this Wednesday, May 13. Also taking the stage will be special guest Tony Moses, who was friends with and has jammed with the late Bob Marley. The show will begin at 7 p.m. on the front patio and donations of around $3-$5 are encouraged.

The tentative music schedule is as follows:

Mondays: Funk/Jazz
Tuesdays: Spoken word
Wednesdays: Reggae/World
Thursdays: Rockabilly
Fridays: Fiesta Fridays, Latin
Saturdays: TBD
Sundays: Alternation between Folk and Soul

Jasmine Café is located at 2315 K St. For more information about upcoming events, call 916-441-6900.