PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Bistro tables, artwork and books create a cultural haven at Frank Talk in Red Bank. The new venture is located in a storefront on Shrewsbury Avenue on the borough's west side. Gilda Rogers wants to foster open dialogue in an intimate setting, and that's why the longtime borough resident has opened Frank Talk Art Bistro & Books at 163 Shrewsbury Ave.

"It's a cultural haven of art and books, and [the way] it's set up, it's very warm," she said. "The environment is comfortable and intimate, so it lends itself to people coming in and engaging in conversations, probably with strangers, which makes it different than going to a Barnes & Noble or a Borders because [they're] so massive."

Rogers, who has lived in the borough for about 17 years, opened Frank Talk a little more than a month ago.

She said the bistro includes comfortable seating and bistro tables. She said it may eventually include a coffee bar as well.

"We haven't gotten that far yet, but that's what's coming," Rogers said.

Gilda Rogers In addition, Frank Talk is planning to add wireless Internet connection via Wi-Fi after Christmas.

Rogers said she wanted to open the bistro because "it's all about inclusion and bringing all cultures together. I live in Red Bank for one, and there seems to be a lot of … people isolating themselves. It's time that we start exploring one another and engaging in good conversation."

She said Stephen Biko, a freedom fighter in South Africa during apartheid, inspired the name for the store. Rogers said Biko would write articles for an underground paper and he would sign them "Frank Talk."

Rogers said bistro clientele includes students who like to use the space to do their work.

She said business so far has "been tepid because it is new, so a lot of people don't know about it yet, [but I'm] very optimistic. I've started to have repeat customers. It gives me hope there's something in here they like if they're coming back again and again. Once people really know that it's here, things will get revved up."

Rogers said the bistro sells some very unusual books and she will also be receiving some new titles in the near future.

According to the Web site, www.thebeyondgroupllc. com, which has a page about the bistro, the store also sells work by local artists who create jewelry, paintings and other artistic handcrafts.

According to a press release, the 700- square-foot bistro includes a diverse collection of new and old books celebrating African American culture, women's empowerment, autobiographies and a salute to jazz musicians, along with specialty cards and prints.

In addition, Rogers is planning to introduce a writing workshop for fledgling writers and special programming for young people.

She also has events scheduled through February, and it's something she wants to continue in the months to come. Rogers said she wants to provide the community with something to do outside the norm.

"That's going to be ongoing. [We're] always going to have events going on in here because I think that's important to bring in crowds of people, to give them either good information from guest lecturers, or just come in and watch an old movie," she said.

ERIC SUCAR staff The interior of Frank Talk is designed to foster open discussion and dialogue in an intimate setting. She said every week the bistro hosts Mix and Mingle Friday, "where people just pop in, we have a little food, wine and cheese, and engage in good conversation." Mix and Mingle Fridays are held at 6 p.m.

Also planned is a workshop, "The Writer in You," scheduled for Jan. 14, 20 and 27.

Feb. 6 will kick off a monthlong celebration of Black History Month. "Vision Voice and Victory: A Salute to Ebony Magazine" will include an evening reception and a guest speaker. Admission to this event is $15 and attendees must RSVP.

Also scheduled for February is "Why Are White People Afraid of Black Art: Misnomer or Fact?" and "An Evening With Julia Wright and Amiri Baraka."

Rogers, the program director of The Source, the Red Bank Regional High School-based youth services program, was also recently honored with an educator's award from the Greater Red Bank Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Rogers received the award at the Freedom Fund Banquet on Dec. 6 at Gibbs Hall, Fort Monmouth.

According to a press release, Rogers earned her bachelor's degree in English from Kean University and a master's degree in history from Monmouth University.

She recently published a book related to her master's thesis titled "Arrested Development, the State of Black Achievement and Education in Hip-Hop America."

She has taught black history as an adjunct professor at Brookdale Community College and her work has been featured on AOL Black Voices.

Last year, Rogers was a key activist in promoting the preservation of the historic T. Thomas Fortune House on the west side of Red Bank.

Frank Talk Art Bistro & Books is open Thursday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 732-747-2572.

Contact Sharon Leff at

sleff@gmnews.com.