This is what A Cup of Joe looks like this morning, a far cry from the usual bustle of caffeine-seeking customers you'd usually see.

The coffee shop at 353 W. 200 South was shut down Saturday, as owner Kristy Gonzales was locked out in the middle of a rent dispute with the landlord, the nonprofit Artspace and its managers, Evergreene Management Group. (The Tribune's Rosemary Winters has all the details in this article.)

Posted on the shop's window, next to an official "Do Not Enter Premises" notice, is this heartfelt plea, which reads in part:

We all know what Cup O' Joes [sic] means to us, here at Artspace and in our neighborhood. It's a quiet haven for neighbors who just want to enjoy Joe's eclectic atmosphere with interesting conversation or a good book. It's a podium for gifted and talented artists to express themselves. It's a warm cup of coffee and a sandwich for the needy and homeless.

Kristy, you are so much more than a business owner, you are our friend!

Cup O' Joes will ALWAYS be in our heart and nothing and no one can take that away!

There has been an outpouring of support for A Cup of Joe. The Cafe Marmalade coffee shop, at 361 N. 300 West, has "We Heart Cup of Joe" on its marquee. And Baxter's Cafe, at 1615 S. State St., is continuing A Cup of Joe's Saturday night open-mic poetry readings. (The show starts at 8:30 p.m.)

This reaction shows why we need homegrown businesses. When Starbucks recently announced it was closing some 600 of its stores - including four in Utah - you notice there was no similar rallying cry to save them.