Not Just Your Neighborhood Coffee Shop Anymore
The phrase “just hanging out at the coffee shop’ holds the suggestion of an ordinary and humdrum afternoon activity. The coffee shop used to be seen as the place where you took a date that was likely to bomb, or where elderly aunts and grandfathers held their daily court on the weather and politics. Menu options were limited to sugary breakfast foods, and anything could be had to drink as long as it had to do with basic coffee.
Coffee enthusiasts today understand that their customers want to be able to buy environmentally responsible and fair-trade beverages without sacrificing quality. They also want their coffee shops to be a destination store, and increasingly, coffee shops are meeting those needs. The coffee shop that cares enough about their community to provide high quality beverages also cares enough to make the coffee shop the hub of the community. Art shows and music featuring local artists, coffee tastings, and brewing workshops are common. Many shops also plan days just for kids, or for patrons with four-legged friends.
So take a stroll down to your neighborhood coffee shop today. Introduce yourself to the barista. Find out what delicious options are on the menu for all times of the day. While you are there, ask what-s going on in the neighborhood. They are sure to know.