When I meet a friend for coffee, we always go to Starbucks or Panera, out of convenience and familiarity. 2019 Me has talked a few friends into trying some 'small business' coffee shops. I have fond memories of going to one that was located next to the preschool my kids attended. When Middle Child was at preschool, I took my son, who was only 3 at the time, to the coffee shop. He would have a biscotti and I would enjoy a latte, and the owner always knew what we wanted when we walked in. Sadly, that little shop is gone.
Week 5 took me to a place that opened last fall. It had previously been a doughnut shop for over 30 years, but the building was probably built in the 60's, looking at this photo:
I had only been there once to buy doughnuts, as the place seemed to close shop by 10 - 11 a.m. Rumor was that the owner started making his doughnuts in the middle of the night and when 8 hours was up, he was done for the day. Or maybe he just shut down when he was sold out? It was weird to me that it never seemed to be open.
Although the outside remained the same, here's what the remodeled inside looks like:
Verdict? It was a good cup of coffee and a clean environment. The downside was the seating. You either sat at the bar on one of those wooden seats or you could sit at one of the 2 person tables along the front windows. Either spot afforded little privacy for conversation. Probably won't be a regular hang out, but I would go back.
Week 6 'new thing' has really been ongoing for 2019. I'm trying to eliminate, or at least cut back, on my caffeine intake. So, it's decaf coffee and tea for me. Funny story: I bought some decaf k-cups at Aldi's and the cashier asked me if I bought the decaf for the flavor? I told him no, I buy it because it doesn't have caffeine. He seemed confused, so maybe he didn't know what 'decaf' meant? LOL, people are not getting any smarter.
In the past, the only tea I ever drank was black chai tea, because I like strong flavored drinks. I've been experimenting with these new teas:
My favorite of the fruit tea sampler was the black cherry. I didn't care for the Candy Cane Green Tea, but will save it if I have an upset stomach. The Bengal Spice was very similar to chai tea, with just a little more spice and kick to it. The Vermont Maple Ginger was mild but tasty. I don't like the Green Tea with Pomegranate at all. Tastes bitter to me. I also didn't realize that green tea has caffeine in it unless otherwise indicated, so I might try pawning off that pomegranate tea on company! Overall, I'm getting used to the new teas and will continue to explore.
Week 5 took me to a place that opened last fall. It had previously been a doughnut shop for over 30 years, but the building was probably built in the 60's, looking at this photo:
Although the outside remained the same, here's what the remodeled inside looks like:
Week 6 'new thing' has really been ongoing for 2019. I'm trying to eliminate, or at least cut back, on my caffeine intake. So, it's decaf coffee and tea for me. Funny story: I bought some decaf k-cups at Aldi's and the cashier asked me if I bought the decaf for the flavor? I told him no, I buy it because it doesn't have caffeine. He seemed confused, so maybe he didn't know what 'decaf' meant? LOL, people are not getting any smarter.
In the past, the only tea I ever drank was black chai tea, because I like strong flavored drinks. I've been experimenting with these new teas:
I don't care much for Starbucks Coffee...too strong for me.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way. I have to put a lot of milk in it to water it down.
Deletehaha some people have no clue, maybe they will now though thanks to you avoiding caffeine. Those stools look like they'd get hard on the butt rather quickly.
ReplyDeleteThe stools were not comfy. Maybe they don't want customers to camp out all day.
DeleteI'm a big proponent of local coffee shops. Coffee is a huge deal in the PNW, so I was a little concerned that Rapid City's coffee scene wouldn't be as robust (pun intended). My fears were not grounded (also intended) - there are quite a few great coffee shops generating lots of buzz (yes, again). Naturally, the one coffee shop within quick walking distance is Starbucks. Figures!
ReplyDeleteYou are so punny, Mark! I was excited when coffee shops made a resurgence in the 90's. When I was in high school and college, the only place to hang out was a bar or disco. It's great to have community gathering places like local coffee shops again.
DeleteAnother fan of local "mom-and-pop" coffee shops here! We have quite a few here in town, and some of them I've never been to. They are on my list! We even have a coffee food truck who goes to different spots around town (she posts on Facebook where she'll be the next day).
ReplyDeleteI drink tea occasionally, but I like a shot of juice in it - like tart cherry juice. Just enough to make the tea a little sweeter.
I'm not sure I've seen a coffee truck around. That's a good idea! I like almond milk in my tea for sweetness and to make it a little thicker.
DeleteI drink tea instead of coffee as the oils in the coffee just don't agree with my complexion! So I've been drinking tea since my late 20's which took some getting used to. The taste was all wrong it seemed! Ha! Fast forward to today - I still drink tea every morning in place of coffee and I've added almond milk to my diet, but I've never put almond milk in my tea. I can't wait to try that tomorrow morning and see what I think! Thanks for the idea! :)
DeleteI add it to every tea I drink now. I like the flavor and consistency it adds. Let me know what you think.
DeleteI love old buildings like that. And you're right, it looks like it was built in the 60's. Commercial buildings back then all had that kind of slanted roof top.
ReplyDeleteAnd I was just thinking when I saw the interior shots that it looked very clean and well-kept. Those counter-tops sparkle! And I really loved the light fixtures.
I've tried several of those teas in your pictures. LOVE anything from Celestial Seasonings. I currently have a box of Chamomile (Sleepytime) tea. And I really like the Earl Grey from Bigelow - iced in the summer.
I drink one cup of coffee in the morning and I usually have a Honest Green Tea with Moroccan Mint Iced tea with my lunch in the afternoon. Years ago, I used to drink 2-3 cups of coffee a day. It's funny because over the years, I find that I don't crave as much coffee as I used to.
Have a grrrrreat rest of your week, my friend X
P.S. I'm on vacation this week and will going into NYC for two days. Can't wait!
You like a lot of different teas. I haven't had chamomile or earl grey in probably 20 years because I thought they tasted like perfume. Maybe I will give them another shot. Once I stopped drinking caffeinated coffee, I found I don't crave it. Usually, I just want something to warm me up in this weather.
DeleteHave a super time in the Big Apple and looking forward to your posts!
I like trying out new coffee shops—that are not chains!
ReplyDeletewww.thepulpitandthepen.com
There is something comforting in a coffee shop.
DeleteOur son's first job out of college was with Starbucks, so we never lacked for loaded gift cards, or bags of coffee. . .
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy some tea, also. I like my green tea straight, or with lemon; I tried the pomegranate and didn't like it. Jenn has a 'recipe' for Peach Mint sun tea that is just amazing on a hot summer day. . .
Peach mint sounds very refreshing! I found some regular decaf green tea and I like it, though I think it's rather plain.
DeleteI like the looks of that coffee shop except for sitting at a bar. As for teas, I drink a cup of Tazo zen green tea nearly every day. But I'm not generally a fan of fruit or other flavored teas. I do like chamomile.
ReplyDeleteI will have to see if Tazo carries any decaf teas. I've seen that brand at my grocer.
DeleteKudos for sticking with your resolve to try new things! Having grown up in Ireland I was weaned on strong black tea with milk and sugar. It is still my favorite though I do like Sleepytime tea and also peppermint, but do not ask me to drink either tea or coffee without caffeine!
ReplyDeleteI'm doing it for two separate health issues and keeping my fingers crossed that it helps one or the other.
DeleteI wonder if they didn't make the coffee shop to comfortable for sitting in to avoid people "parking" themselves there for the "day" like people do at Starbucks (at least here). I go back and forth with teas whether I like them or not. I tend to like the fruity ones when I do drink them. I gave up coffee and caffeine for close to 16 months but then lately now I've been having a cup of coffee in the mornings. It was good to know that I could give it up and I'll probably do it again soon.
ReplyDeletebetty
I'm guessing they tried to just include as much seating as possible in a small space. But also, discourage people from parking! Yes, people do that in the Starbucks here. Good luck ever getting one of the comfy seats!
DeleteHa, you won't drag me away from my routine caffeine intake in a hurry! I love my regular latte especially. I've tried a few of our local independent coffee shops but I'm generally disappointed. My favourite is still Caffè Nero.
ReplyDeleteI dislike the taste of green tea, and now you tell me it usually contains caffeine, I think I'll go for the pure caffeine!
Lattes are my favorite as well. I will treat myself to one every once in a while, but for health reasons, I'm going to try to avoid caffeine. I hated green tea the first time I tried it, but I don't mind it at all now.
DeleteI drink a lot of regular tea during the day but I also like chai tea.
ReplyDeleteI love the spices in chai.
DeleteQueenie loves ScamBucks and Panera. Me, not so much. If you're gonna over-charge me at least provide a better than average product!! ;-)
ReplyDeleteLove small coffee shops. Mostly. Locally most are staffed by vocal folks who have no filter and will try to criticize your life choices. College-town problems! Other than that, they beat the chains hands down.
Then again, my pot at home makes the best coffee ... and tea. Love me some black cherry! ;-)
Isn't that black cherry tea good?? I don't mind having friends over for coffee as my house is always clean, but it's nice to go somewhere. People here tend to mind their own business and not make conversation!
DeleteYep, Black Cherry or Raspberry .... good stuff. I'd love to entertain folk here but Queenie had a couple bad experiences with judgmental guests and won't have it.
DeleteGood move getting away from Starbucks. I'm boycotting them after their nitwit leader announced his run for the White House. (Seriously, dude?) I've got a caffeine issue as well, only it's from diet sodas and ice teas. Must do better in 2019!
ReplyDeleteI'm doing really well avoiding caffeine. Easier than I thought it would be!
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