Visual arts have been used to sell a lot of things in Miami, from condos to entire neighborhoods. And hanging art on the walls of various establishments often earns them an “art-friendly” label. But, as so many here know, a serious “art cafe” means a place to sit, hang, work and talk. Thankfully, Lester’s is no longer talk. It’s a cafe that’s now open, but with little in the way of fanfare or trappings. Like most cafe’s, there’s coffee, espresso, beer, wine. The rest of the menu for the moment, however, includes n+1, Three Penny Review and Art Papers, to name a few of the periodicals on offer. Yes, a place to read, maybe even think.

On a recent Friday afternoon, sadly, few visitors were wondering Wynwood to visit galleries. But, on a brighter note, those visitors were inside the newly opened Lester’s on N.W. Second Avenue. Artist Kevin Arrow and family were checking out the coffee bar in the back, while Ruba Katrib, associate curator at Museum of Contemporary Art, was working her laptop. Maybe she was smoothing out the logistics of her latest project, Museum of Contemporary Art’s “New Methods” three-day symposium, which took place May 4 through 6. Whether the cafe/coffee had anything to do with it, kudos to Katrib for organizing that event, which brought together people from organizations across Latin America to discuss their art scenes, and ours. That kind of dialogue, especially at a crossroads city like Miami, is incredibly important, overdue and something all art institutions should engaged in. The Internet can only leap so many borders — face-to-face conversations about the realities and complexities of various art worlds and politics expand all horizons.

Those types of face-to-face interactions are the aim of Daniel Milewski, owner of Lester’s. He’s an artist himself, whose new wife, Nina Johnson, is the director of Gallery Diet. He’s into an exchange of both products and ideas. So, indeed, on the shelves are magazines that can’t be found elsewhere in Miami. Perhaps, from these magazines, ideas will also blossom with the customer base. Lectures and other events are also planned. We’re hoping a real conversation is underway all across the region.

Lester’s, featuring beer, books, wine, espresso and magazines, open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at 2519 N.W. Second Ave., Wynwood Arts District, Miami; www.lestersmiami.com.