Kris and I were visiting Lukas and Annika recently and we frequented Sapore, the local coffee shop. Sitting there got me to thinking about all the good coffee shops -- not chains -- local folks visit, and how hard those baristas work to produce a nice cup of latte or coffee for us. Who wants to comment about their favorite? Which of their coffees do you like? Why? What has that coffee shop meant to you? Have you ever been traveling, found a local cafe, and said, "Wow, what a good coffee shop?" (We sure have.)
At times we have been sent coffees and we've talked about them here, but what always impresses me is the quality of coffees that most folks don't even know about.
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I've always found that hot drinks remind me of the hearth. And they connect me with a kind of peace that breeds gratitude for God's gifts in my life.
In Charlotte, there's Amelie's French Bakery, where the local emergent cohort meets monthly. Good coffee, and great pastries.
Here in Rock Hill, I like Durango Bagels for coffee and bagels. Especially on Sunday morning when our church meets together there.
I admit,I am biased. I used to be employed by a coffee shop that had only two stores and was owned by a married couple. They were one of the best in the city of Boston even better than a couple of large chains that are big. Unfortunately, the owner eas not able to afford the increase in rent for the space, so we needed to go out of business. Our loyal clientele was upset to see them go. We made whatever you asked for, we even had stuff that the chains did not have.
I've learned to keep my eyes open for independent coffee shops. A couple of years ago, I spent a week at Regent College (Vancouver). Most of the week, I spent time at a Starbucks across the street from the school.
The last day I was there, I was walking toward the University of British Columbia (next door to Regent) when I smelled the most delicious aroma. I was standing in front of The Boulevard Coffee Roasting Co. The coffee was unbelievable. No comparison to what I had been drinking all week.
I now look for the independents.
I'll put in a plug for Peregrine Espresso on Capital Hill in DC, owned by good friends of ours, Ryan and Jill Jensen. A champion barista himself, Ryan knows his coffee! They go the extra mile to make sure the coffee is always great---like making individual cups of drip coffee during off-peak times so it is always fresh.
http://peregrineespresso.com/
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