Why Should I Go Out?

So it's about 930 on a Sunday morning. I'm sitting here, relaxing, letting my water boil next to a french press with coffee grounds staged inside. I've already lesuirely gone over my e-mail, fantasy baseball team, and wrapped up work on the news blog.

Excuse me...it's time to go pour the water.

So now I'm enjoying this nice little cup of coffee. I'm all relaxed. I'm sitting in my (somewhat) comfy chair. I'm sipping (sorta) nice coffee. And getting some work done, and some play, and some socializing. All while listening to some cool tunes.

So...why give this up and go to a coffee shop? I mean, I've got a lot going for me right here. Including not having to put on real clothes or shoes or anything. It also doesn't take any out-of-pocket expenses to sit here and drink my coffee and do my stuff. It's already bought and paid for, from within the budget.

Now THAT, my friends, is what a coffee shop is up against. Why go out when it's cheaper and more comfy to sit at home?

Miscellaneous Stops Deuce

Here's the 2nd part of my wrap-up of coffee shops and chains I've been to over the years.

While in Duluth, Minnesota on a romantic liason, I was introduced to Caribou Coffee. I...fell in love, basically, with the coffee shop (and the girl...but THAT is another story for another blog). A wood-cabin theme, dark and light roasts ready to serve, and unique espresso beverages (with candies in them!) all add up to make this a pleasant place. They offer free wifi (with purchase), and have a nice mix of comfy seats and workable tables. While still a big corporation (they ARE in fifteen states) they aren't completely corporate, and each store has it's own feel to it.

Another of my Colorado stops has been Coyote's Coffee Den. There are a number of these locations scattered across the Southwest of Colorado, from Canon City to Penrose to Pueblo. I've only ever hit the Penrose location, since that's a) where my sister works and b) it's on the way to everything civilized (read: Colorado Springs and Denver). They've got really nice coffee. Like, best mocha I've ever had. The Western motif is pretty neat too. Not the most comfortable place I've ever seen, but this place is set up more for commuter traffic than idlers like myself. They also have a kitchen where they do light breakfast and lunch far.

My latest discovery was a place called Coffee 'n' Cream, a coffee shop/soft serve place in Marriemont, on the East Side of Cincy. A tiny shop, run by a guy named Joe (not hanging-out-all-night-Joe) who gets really excited about his products. I've burned a bit of time listening to him tell me the difference between how he brews his iced coffee and his hot coffee. The coffee...really is good. I mean, fabulous. Pretty good pricing too. Not the most comfy, but with free wifi and s nice radio system, you're good for a 20 minute break or so from the day. And besides...you can get icecream there. Coffee and icecream together...the man needs an international prize of some sort.

So that's it. When I think coffee shops, I think of these places listed in the last two posts. I like them all, for different reasons. Ideally, I'd walk into a coffee shop that could encompass all of these traits...and since I don't think that's gonna happen, I may just have to open my own.

Miscellaneous Stops

There were other coffee shops I've been too, with Joe and on my own. Scattered across the country even. Coffee shops for the sake of coffee shops is what the game is all about, and whenever I see a new one I'm drawn to it.

One of my more favorite spots in Cincinnati is Lookout Joe's. It's a local business, for one thing. Roasts their own coffee (if you get there at the right time, you can watch them roasting...and THAT is cool). It's a neat space, very...I don't know the word. But it's a cross between a warehouse space and a loft apartment. The main issue there is parking, because Lookout Square is...well, cramped. It's a cute, scenic, older part of town and that means paying for or not even finding parking. The service tends to be a lil slow in the afternoon and evenings...only one person on duty with too much to do. I once waited 45 minutes for the poor girl to refill the coffee carafe

Another neat space is Coffee Emporium. I'd link you, but...their website seems to be pretty broken. It's an old house on Erie Ave in Hyde Park, and the first floor is all knick-knacky like a garage sale, and also where you find the bar. The second floor is all tables and chairs, reminiscent of a 1 room school house. The coffee was pretty good, and if you like older buildings this is a neat place to be. Again, parking is a bit of an issue...but usually you can find something on street.

One of the flat out coolest coffee shops I've ever been to is Java Moon in Denver, Colorado. It's closed now, but it was a store front with garage door windows, a cool center bar, and a kitchen with a really nice breakfast and lunch menu. There were plenty of booths, tables, and living room areas...and it was pretty yummy coffee. Joe and I once spent four or five hours chatting and catching up there...they had to kick us out. It's still in my mind as a template for the store I want to open.

I've got another post about cool coffee spots coming...I wrote it out in one huge thing, and realized...I don't want to put up a post this long. So till then, add some cream.